CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Wednesday, some local homeowners joined federal and Mecklenburg County housing experts to talk about the best ways to keep people in their homes and prevent foreclosures.
Jack Wilson of Alliance Credit Counseling helps people every week avoid foreclosure but now also needs help himself.
"I'm under water," he said. "I have attempted to try some of the programs in place and I've run into roadblocks."
It's because, Wilson said, he doesn't qualify for current programs and got his mortgage before he learned all the advice he now preaches.
He shared his experiences helping clients but also wanted to know what could help him.
Marie Day with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage said their programs are constantly being adjusted so people shouldn't assume they don't qualify.
Day said people should contact their loan servicers as soon as they know they could have problems making payments, like an anticipated layoff.
"We want to work with you," Day said. "If you don't want to work with us directly, we suggest you work with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency."
Ed Jennings, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Administrator, said funding for more counselors and homeowners is coming soon.
The state of North Carolina and its homeowners were recently awarded $338 million through the National Mortgage Settlement, a multi-billion dollar payment from big banks.
Jennings also pushed support for three bills proposed by Democratic Senators to help more people qualify for refinancing.
"They get access to a four-percent interest rate," he said. "That's not a check written by the government. They might get some assistance with closing costs, which is very, very minimal."
Jennings said that includes people like Jack Wilson.
"I'm hopeful," Wilson said.
Links:
National Mortgage Settlement
Legislation
HUD programs
WSOC
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