Lily Cavanagh, Treasurer of Redford

February 8, 2009

Township ready to help in foreclosure crisis

By Alex Lundberg
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER      

The Wayne County sheriff has announced he would stop mortgage foreclosure sales, but Redford residents facing the possibility of losing their homes will soon be able to turn to township hall for concrete tips, advice and connections already lined up to help homeowners in need.

Community Development Director Michael Dennis said there are state and federal programs in place for people facing foreclosure, but right now all the township can do is direct people to what already exists.

"We are not a counseling agency, we don't give out advice," he said.

Dennis added that most people are not proactive enough about the crisis as it applies to them.

"A lot of people aren't doing anything until it's too late," he said.

But the township is putting together as much knowledge as possible. Township Treasurer Lily Cavanagh is assembling all of the most knowledgeable people to assist residents.

"We're trying to create a program that will bring in counselors, attorneys and nonprofits," she said. "People who know what's going on and can direct residents to programs that can help them. We've got some people who are eager to help."

She said there will be informative seminars on how to deal with banks, mortgage companies and how to apply for help from organizations, within and without the government, that provide assistance.

"We're going to have all the forms and information so that people can start the process of getting help," Cavanagh said.

Not content to leave it to others, the treasurer and members of her staff will be present at these informational sessions, at least twice a week.

She said the preparations should be finished soon and the program will be up and running, hopefully, in four weeks.