Expansion of City’s Foreclosure Center Means Thousands more Can Get Help

The City of West Palm Beach’s highly-innovative, nationally-recognized Foreclosure Assistance Center (FAC) is expanding its reach and will now offer free assistance to families throughout Palm Beach County. The Center’s services had previously only been available to West Palm Beach residents.

“Bringing this first-of-its-kind foreclosure assistance program to families across Palm Beach County will help save homes, keep families together and stabilize our housing market,” said Mayor Lois Frankel. “The Center has made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of West Palm Beach families, and now, with the help of our partners, we’ll be able to touch families throughout the county.”

The City is expanding the Foreclosure Assistance Center (FAC) with the help of non-profits, government agencies and faith-based institutions. HomeFree USA, a HUD-approved non-profit home ownership counseling organization, will implement the new program and lead the counseling. Satellite offices throughout Palm Beach County, where people can go for help, are being provided by local churches through a faith-based initiative launched as part of the expansion. The churches will also help get the word out about the Center’s services. From Pahokee to Delray Beach to Jupiter, families will be able to visit one of many FAC satellite offices strategically located throughout the county. All services provided by the FAC will continue to be FREE of charge.

“This expansion is great news for Palm Beach County’s homeowners,” said Director of Housing and Community Development Emelda Johnson. “Thanks to our new partners, we’re going to be able to serve many families that we have had to turn away in the past.”

The Center is a “one-stop-shop” solution center for families facing foreclosure problems. The goal is for people to leave the Center with a solution to their housing situation, not simply a referral to an agency or a contact phone number. All homeowners who receive help from the center must enroll in a mandatory 12-month financial counseling and education program.

Additional partners in the FAC expansion include the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Palm Beach County Government.

WPB County-wide Foreclosure Assistance Program Locations
Palm Beach County residents in foreclosure trouble can get assistance at the following locations:

•    City of WPB Foreclosure Assistance Center, 464 Fern Street, WPB 33401. 561-822-1575.
•    St. Paul’s Church, 3345 Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, 33417. 561-242-0001.
•    Hurst Chapel, 1617 Silver Beach Road, Riviera Beach, 33404. 561-845-7579.
•    St. Paul’s, 315 M.L. King Blvd., Boynton Beach, 33455. 561-734-2348.
•    Harvest AME, 825 Larrimore Road, Pahokee, 33476. 561-924-7030.
•    Delray Beach CDC, 401 W. Atlantic Avenue, #016.

To learn more about how to get help, homeowners should call 561-822-1583.

In a first of its kind cooperative effort designed to serve as a national model, The City of West Palm Beach is joining with national organizations and banks to create a first of its kind foreclosure assistance center.  The center is focused on immediate solutions for homeowners facing loss of their property. (more…)

What:  City Giving Away Free House at Housing Expo.
When:  Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center.

(03/28/08)  As part of the 2008 Housing Expo, the City of West Palm Beach will hold a drawing and give away a payment-free house.  The Housing Expo will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.  The drawing will be held at approximately 2:00 p.m., and you must be present to win.

The City’s Housing Expo will be filled with services and activities designed to help attendees take advantage of housing opportunities.  Homeowners will be able to get help with foreclosure assistance, get expert housing advice and learn about local housing initiatives.

The City is giving away a two-bedroom single-family home located in the City’s north end.  The home will be given away in a drawing to an income-eligible family.  Entrants must certify their eligibility at the Housing Expo.  The new owner will be required to occupy the home as their primary residence and must meet certain other conditions.