Grijalva Office Co-Hosting Foreclosure Prevention and Response Workshop Tomorrow – Congressman Calls for Overdue Reforms

Washington, D.C. – June 12, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva’s office is co-hosting a foreclosure prevention and response workshop on Sat., June 9, at 9:00 a.m. at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center at 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive. The event, also being presented by the Western Arizona Council of Governments, the Southwest Fair Housing Council and the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, will include experts from several banks to assist homeowners.

Rep. Grijalva’s Yuma office director, Martha Garcia, will deliver remarks and be on hand to discuss potential homeowner assistance from the Congressional office. Rep. Grijalva is unable to attend because of today’s schedule on Capitol Hill.

He the move by Gov. Jan Brewer and the conservative state Legislature to swipe $50 million from the state’s mortgage settlement fund “the best way to make sure homeowners never see the justice they were promised.” The settlement provided Arizona with $97.7 million to help struggling homeowners and those still facing foreclosures recoup their losses and prevent additional fraudulent foreclosures.

The Legislature subsequently passed a budget that moved $50 million from the fund to cover the cost of other programs in the state budget after Arizona State Senate President Steve Pierce called the intended use of the funds “a low priority.”

“I’m working to help homeowners directly through my office and making sure we bring experts together to assist as many families as possible,” Grijalva said. “Gov. Brewer and the conservative majority aren’t interested in any of that. Apparently big corporate tax cuts are a better way to make struggling families’ lives easier than reducing principals or preventing bank fraud.”

In addition to offering several direct assistance workshops, Grijalva has frequently called on Congress to pass his Right-to-Rent Act, which allows families facing foreclosure to stay in their homes as renters at a fair market rate set by a judge. The bill would prevent empty neighborhoods, give struggling families time to organize their finances, and prevent lower property values.

“It’s in banks’ best interest to start refinancing homeowners at reasonable rates that account for today’s economic reality instead of clinging to yesterday’s false promises,” Grijalva said. “We can get through this, but only if we all start making smarter decisions.”

Anyone interested in attending tomorrow’s free event should bring his or her two most recent pay stubs, the last two months of bank statements, the last two tax returns or profit and loss statements, any relevant mortgage default letters or late notices, a foreclosure notice (if applicable), a complete listing of monthly household expenses, and a detailed financial hardship letter.