Fisher Announces $2 Million for Foreclosure Prevention Activities

24 Organization Receive Grant Assistance

Columbus, OH – January 30, 2008 – Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that 24 organizations will receive $2 million in awards for foreclosure counseling through the Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling Program. The grants will assist 9,000 low- and moderate-income households in 64 Ohio counties.

“As the foreclosure crisis continues to affect Ohio families, it is critical that the necessary tools and resources are deployed to protect families and their most valuable investment,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling Program complements the efforts of the Strickland Administration’s Foreclosure Prevention Task Force toward ensuring that Ohioans have the resources, knowledge, and assistance during these challenging circumstances.”

The Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling Program is designed to provide an effective means of reducing the number of mortgage foreclosures and delinquencies for low -to moderate- income households in Ohio. Funding is provided to eligible nonprofit organizations for the purpose of providing counseling to homeowners in danger or at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure.

Fiscal Year 2007 Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling Program
Award Recipients

The Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling Program is funded by the Ohio Housing Trust fund which is administered by the Community Development Division at the Ohio Department of Development. The Community Development Division provides assistance to Ohio families through a variety of programming including neighborhood revitalization, homeless and housing assistance, home energy assistance, and weatherization programs. Additional information about programs and grants offered by the Community Development Division is available by visiting http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ohcp/.