FORECLOSURE PREVENTION RESOURCES FOR HOMEOWNERS

FAQs About Foreclosure Assistance Resources

Are there pro bono (free) foreclosure assistance resources available in Maryland?

~ Yes. Free assistance is being provided by both non-profit housing counselors and pro bono attorneys.  To be referred to a housing counselor in your area, please call the Maryland HOPE Hotline. A housing counselor can help you negotiate with your lender, and can determine whether you are eligible for referral to a pro bono attorney through Maryland’s Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project.

Do I need a pro bono attorney?

~ Not everyone needs attorney assistance. Many homeowners find that a housing counselor can help them resolve their foreclosure issue. Housing counselors in Maryland have been trained to know when an attorney referral is appropriate, and how to get their clients referred to a pro bono attorney when necessary.

Is there anywhere I can go to speak with an attorney directly for free?

~ Yes. Volunteer attorneys will be at Foreclosure Solutions Workshops around Maryland in 2010. Any homeowner may attend a Foreclosure Solutions Workshop to receive free one-on-one legal advice. You do not need to be in foreclosure to obtain a consultation with a volunteer attorney. You must receive housing counseling before you can be meet with a volunteer attorney at a workshop.  For more information, please visit our workshops page.

Foreclosure Solutions Workshops

When and where are Foreclosure Solutions Workshops held?

~ Foreclosure Solutions Workshops are held all over Maryland at various times. To see a listing of workshops currently scheduled, please visit either www.mdhope.org or our workshops page. This schedule is updated regularly.

How do I pre-register to be seen at a workshop?

~ Pre-registration guarantees a free legal consultation. Pre-registration information can be found with the listing of workshops currently scheduled at www.mdhope.org or our workshops page.

What documents do I need to bring to the workshop?

~ To ensure the most helpful legal consult possible, please bring all paperwork related to your current and former mortgages, including loan application, settlement paperwork, lender statements, and any default notices. Also bring your monthly household budget (income/expenses) and all foreclosure notices or threats received.

Hotlines

Maryland HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) Hotline 1 (877) 462-7555
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Please call this number for referral to a non-profit housing counselor near you who will help you negotiate with your lender. This Hotline is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).  You must receive housing counseling before you can be assessed for eligibility for referral to a pro bono attorney through the Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project.

• For eligibility criteria, click here.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware, Inc. (CCCS) 1 (877) 316-6716 - Mon.-Thu. 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
If you are not already working with a housing counselor and would like to determine whether you are eligible for referral to a volunteer attorney who will help you negotiate with your lender, contact CCCS at the above number. CCCS will conduct telephone housing counseling and will assess you for eligibility for referral to a volunteer attorney. You must receive housing counseling before you can be assessed for eligibility for referral to a pro bono attorney through the Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project.

Commissioner of Financial Regulation Complaint Hotline 1 (888) 784-0136
Please call this number to file a complaint with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation against any company or individual who took your money and falsely promised to help with your mortgage.

Legal Aid Senior Hotline 1 (800) 896-4213 (for homeowners 60+ years of age)
Seniors are encouraged to call this number for legal assistance with respect to a mortgage or for information about filing bankruptcy.

Websites

www.mdhope.org
Lists Foreclosure Solutions Workshops and non-profit housing counseling agencies in Maryland. This website is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).

www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
Provides information about national resources and President Obama’s plan to encourage lenders to modify mortgage loans and refinance certain mortgages.

www.PreventLoanScams.org
This website provides a simple online complaint form for homeowners, housing counselors, and attorneys to report possible loan modification scams.