Rep. Tina Orwall's new legislation to help homeowners faced with foreclosure

[eridani]

Link to Washington Homeownership Resource Center: http://www.homeownership-wa.org/contact.htm.
Email us at info {at} homeownership-wa.org

Call us toll-free on our Homeownership Hotline at [phone]
Local in Seattle, our number is [phone]

Office hours: 8 am to 5 pm PST, Monday - Friday
You can also send correspondence to:
Washington Homeownership Center
18551 Aurora Ave N, Suite 200
Shoreline, WA 98133-3992


Tina was far too modest to mention her award at the Evergreen Democrats meeting of 7/12
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/125457718.html

In recognition of her legislative work in the midst of Washington state’s foreclosure crisis, state Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, received the 2011 Housing Hero Award from a group of housing and homeless organizations.

The 2011 Housing Hero Award was presented to Orwall at the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness’ General Membership meeting on June 16 by representatives from the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

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Orwall’s leadership helped pass the Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011, which created the Foreclosure Mediation Program that could benefit the 45,000 families expected to receive foreclosure notices this year.

The new law will bring banks and homeowners to the table to explore alternatives to foreclosure. It will require lenders to notify borrowers prior to foreclosure of the availability of foreclosure counseling and the potential for mediation. Foreclosure counseling will help homeowners understand all of their options and determine the best course of action.

[eridani]

1. Forum on this July 21 in Kent

You are Invited to
The Foreclosure Fairness Act Forum

Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Kent Lutheran Church
336 2nd Ave S
Kent, WA 98032


Hear from a panel of experts about the new law going into effect on July 22,
and what this will mean for anyone facing foreclosure.


Hosted by the bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Tina Orwall, 33rd Legislative District.

Presented by Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
and Housing Development Consortium - Seattle & King County.


Speakers include:
Representative Tina Orwall, 33rd Legislative District
Mayor Suzette Cooke, City of Kent
Bruce Neas, Columbia Legal Services

Along with a Panel of Experts for a Q&A session:
Marcy Bowers, Poverty Action Network

Marc Cote, Washington Homeownership Resource Center
Kim Herman, Washington State Housing Finance Commission
Dan McConnon, Washington State Department of Commerce

Bruce Neas, Columbia Legal Services

michele {at} wliha.org

[eridani]

2. More info

wanted to let you know about a community forum being held in Kent this Thursday evening, July 21st, for those facing foreclosure to learn more about the Foreclosure Mediation Program. I am pleased to host this event, along with the Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance and Housing Development Consortium.

As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, one of my priorities this session was to help the 45,000 families who are receiving foreclosure notices this year, and that is why I sponsored the Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011.

The Foreclosure Mediation Program will give homeowners facing foreclosure access to housing counselors who will assist them in the process. They will be able to meet with the bank and an independent mediator to review every option and work out the best possible outcome.

Foreclosure mediation will begin July 22, 2011.

Here is more information about the Foreclosure Fairness Act Forum:

Are you facing foreclosure or do you know someone who is?


Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Kent Lutheran Church

336 2nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98032

What you will learn:

What are homeowners’ new rights?

What is foreclosure mediation?

How does a homeowner request mediation?


Hosted by:
The bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Tina Orwall, 33rd Legislative District

For more information: michele {at} wliha.org or 206.442.9455


Here is a link to a Facebook event page, as well: http://on.fb.me/kentforeclosureforum.

If you aren’t able to attend the forum, the event will be filmed by Puget Sound Access and available for viewing later. See Puget Sound Access’ website for programming information: http://www.pugetsoundaccess.org/default.aspx.
For more information on the Foreclosure Mediation Program, visit the Washington State Department of Commerce’s website at: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1367/default.aspx.

To find a counselor now, please call Washington State's foreclosure prevention hotline: [phone]-HOME (1-877-894-4663).