Aug. 6, 2008

News Highlights 

• Free seminar targeted toward homeowners and renters in Fairfax County.
• Registration encouraged due to limited seating; call 703-246-5086.
• Information about foreclosures available online or by calling the county.

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More Information  Foreclosures Homeownership Resource Center Consumer Central New Initiative to Address Foreclosures

Fairfax County will host a free brown-bag lunch presentation on foreclosures for homeowners and renters who live in the county on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 120C of the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.

At the presentation, homeowners can find out about:

• Strategies to prevent foreclosure.
• Workout options when mortgage payments are no longer affordable.
• Predatory lending practices.
• Foreclosure rescue scams.

Renters can get information about:

• What to do if the property they are renting is facing foreclosure.
• How mortgage foreclosure affects a rental dwelling.
• What happens after the foreclosure is final.

The event is sponsored by the Homeownership Division of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and the Consumer Affairs Branch of the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection.

Seating is limited so registration is encouraged. To sign up, call Gail Lee at 703-246-5086, TTY 703-385-3578. For reasonable accommodations, call 703-246-5101, TTY 703-385-3578. 

Homeowners who are unable to attend the brown-bag presentation but would like more information can contact the Homeownership Resource Center of the HCD weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 703-246-5087, TTY 703-385-3578. Renters with questions about rental housing in foreclosure or homeowners seeking to avoid foreclosure rescue scams should contact the Consumer Affairs Branch weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 703-222-8435, TTY 711.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently authorized a new initiative to address the foreclosures within the county. As part of that initiative, foreclosure specialists from HCD and other county agencies and nonprofits will coordinate efforts with the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) to counsel households at risk of foreclosure in Fairfax County.

In addition, VHDA is training volunteers as certified foreclosure counselors to assist with the counseling of at-risk households. The focus of the counseling is to connect homeowners with their lenders or other resources, with the ultimate goal of a loan workout.

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