News Release 
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 4, 2008 |
Media Contact: Erin Biehl, ebiehl@ohiohome.org Phone: 614.387.2863 |
OHFA RECEIVES OVER $4.4 MILLION TO SUPPORT FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELING EFFORTS
Grant provides much-needed boost to Ohio homeowners in danger of foreclosure
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) today announced that it has received $4,447,440 to support Ohio foreclosure prevention counseling efforts. The funding will enable 22 organizations across Ohio to provide more foreclosure counseling than ever before to area homeowners in danger of foreclosure.
“Foreclosure prevention counseling and legal mitigation are critical steps in reducing the high volume of foreclosures we have experienced in Ohio during the past year,” said Douglas Garver, Executive Director. “This grant opportunity will help increase foreclosure prevention efforts and assist local organizations keep more families in their homes.”
The grant to support Ohio’s foreclosure intervention efforts was provided by funds from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. The initial funding was provided by Congress in the FY08 Consolidated Appropriations Act, and additional funding was provided through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program is administered through a competitive application process by NeighborWorks® America, within guidelines defined by Congressional legislation. NeighborWorks® America is an independent, Congressionally-chartered nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to provide access to sustainable homeownership and safe, affordable rental housing.
The following organizations were part of the OHFA application and will receive a portion of more than $2.5 million in funds allotted for foreclosure prevention counseling: The Community Action Commission of Belmont County, Community Action Commission of Fayette County, Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, Community Housing Solutions, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development, CountyCorp, East Akron Neighborhood Development Center, ESOP, Fair Housing Contact Service, Inc., Fair Housing Opportunities of NW OH, Inc. (Fair Housing Center), Fair Housing Resource Center, Housing Advocates, Inc., Lorain County Community Action Agency, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Mustard Seed Development Center, The Nord Center Housing Service Program of Lorain County, Stark County Out of Poverty Partnership, Inc., Union Miles Development Corporation, Working in Neighborhoods, and WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc.
In addition, OHFA will provide over $1.9 million in funding from the grant to Housing Advocates Inc. and Ohio State Legal Services Association to provide legal assistance for those facing foreclosure.
The funding is contingent upon the successful execution of the grant agreement by OHFA and NeighborWorks® America.
OHFA utilizes federal and state resources to provide housing opportunities for families and individuals through programs designed to create, preserve and manage affordable housing throughout the State of Ohio. The Agency is a self-supporting quasi-public agency governed by an eleven-member board, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Two additional seats on the board, by statute, are reserved for the Director of Development and the Director of Commerce or their designees, and both serve as ex officio voting members.
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