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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org
Elena Gaona (HUD)
202-402-6627
Elena.gaona@hud.gov
Spanish-language PSA launched to highlight fast-approaching program deadline
Washington, D.C.— For a limited time, the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed and struggling to avoid foreclosure with up to $50,000 in help to pay a portion of their monthly mortgage including missed mortgage payments or past due charges including principal, taxes, insurance and attorney fees while they search for a job.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for homeowners who have lost their jobs to keep their heads above water,” said Janis Bowdler, Director, Wealth-Building Policy Project, at NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “The biggest challenge now is ensuring that people know about this opportunity and take advantage of it during the short period that it is available.” Homeowners must submit pre-applications by July 22, 2011.
The NCLR Homeownership Network (NHN) is doing its part to encourage Latino families in need of mortgage assistance to seize this opportunity by releasing a public service announcement in Spanish. The announcement, which features remarks from Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary, Community Planning and Development with HUD, alerts listeners to the approaching deadline and directs them to the EHLP website, www.FindEHLP.org and toll-free hotline, 855-FIND-EHLP (346-3345).
“Through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program, we are continuing our commitment to help families stay in their homes during tough economic times,” Márquez said. “This is critical help that we have launched in 27 states and Puerto Rico to help families maintain their most precious investment while looking for work or recovering from illness.” Five states operating substantially similar programs are administering EHLP directly: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The EHLP program is a complement to the Hardest Hit Fund which makes available $7.6 billion to 18 states and the District of Columbia that were hardest hit by the housing crisis. With the launch of EHLP, mortgage assistance is now available for unemployed and underemployed homeowners in every state and Puerto Rico.
Potential applicants can locate an EHLP agency and learn more about the program by visiting www.FindEHLP.org or calling the toll-free number 855-FIND-EHLP (346-3345).
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and www.espanol.hud.gov . You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD.