DETROIT- With economical difficulties still straining the state of Michigan, many residents might not be aware that the Wayne County Department offers a free program to homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage. The program is an effort made by the county to put a cap on the growing number of foreclosures that have affected the surrounding cities severely.  

The Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP) has actually been around since 2008 after it was up-started with the help of Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano. Its singular mission is to help keep taxpayers in their homes. If that is out of the question, then the MFPP at least tries to help the resident have a dignified exist such as a short sale, rather than a foreclosure, which can strain an individual’s record. 

“Our goal is to keep people in their homes,” said Jamele Hage, Assistant Corporation and Director of the program. “But the reality is, there is no way we can do that for everyone.”

According to Hage, the way the program works is a resident fills out an online application and within 24 hours they can be connected to 43 different services that are provided. The first available council will then take the case. The council will do an intake with the family and have them sign forms to get in contact with the lender.  An appropriate workout package is then sent over, where the lender will usually comply. 

Since 2008, almost 5,000 homeowners in the Wayne County area have sought assistance from the MFPP. The retention rate of these cases has been 58 percent, with 2,900 resolved cases. The short sale method only becomes an option as a last resort, If the homeowner does not have an income, leaving them with no possibilities to make a payment plan with the lender.

Currently, the MFPP is working on 567 cases and are looking to assist more homeowners who might need the help. Hage notes however, that trying to get homeowners into the program hasn’t been easy, especially within the Arab American community.

“Arabs are proud people,” she stated. “We don’t usually accept government handouts…if they are having problems with their mortgage they will usually go to a family member for help,” she added. “But the economy has gotten so tough that even families are incapable of assisting.”

In order to reach out to more Arab Americans, the MFPP has partnered with ACCESS in Dearborn to assist homeowners who are bilingual and might need assistance applying and imputing information. And it seems those Dearborn residents might need the help after all: 

According to property values in 2011, Dearborn suffered an annual loss of -9.02 percent. Dearborn Heights is also close behind with a loss of -6.51 percent in value. Those two cities aren’t as bad as some surrounding cities like Melvindale, which took the biggest hit with -19.26 percent. Inkster also saw an alarming drop in 2011 with -16.26 percent. 

There are many residents who do seek out companies for Loan Modification assistance, and these companies have been charging clients a fee upfront in order to work on their case. Hadge goes as far as calling many (but not all) of these companies a scam.

“Under Michigan law, if any firm or company takes fees upfront for assistance with mortgages, it’s illegal,” she stated. “Only attorneys can legally do that. Our community needs to be aware of this and report such actions.”

Hage states that no one in Wayne County should ever have to pay for mortgage assistance when a program like the MFPP is functioning. The program is tax payer supported and the counselors involved receive training every few months. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has certified the program, acknowledging the MFPP as the prime resource for mortgage assistance in the state.

“Most of the time people will think you get what you pay for,” Hage stated. “But you truly are getting a better service from us even though we are government and non profit,” she added. “This isn’t a handout; our community needs a program like this.”

For those looking to get assistance with their mortgage or want more information about MFPP, you can visit www.FightMortgageForeclosure.com or calling their toll free number at 877.693.6199.