January 7, 2013
Las Vegas, NV – A new program is making it easier for distressed homeowners in Nevada to determine what state or federal assistance may be available to them with a single “one-stop”, free resource.
Initiated by Nevada Attorney General (AG) Catherine Cortez Masto, the “Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program” is designed for:
- Homeowners seeking loan modification
- Borrowers who are current, but “underwater”
- Those who lost their homes to foreclosure
- Households working toward homeownership
The no-fee service is available for all Nevadans simply by calling toll free 1-855-HLP-4-NEV (1-855-457-4638) with both English and Spanish-speaking assistance available. The call center is open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information is also available at www.HomeAgainNevada.gov. Click on the link to view the Home Again Commercial: http://youtu.be/gjkVL5p0zjU.
“The effects of the housing crisis are still being felt by thousands of Nevadans,” said Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. “With many state and federal programs offering relief, the Home Again program allows Nevadans to have a convenient single point of contact to reach a trained housing counselor who can evaluate and advise troubled homeowners or foreclosure victims about options and relief programs for which they may be eligible.”
The program originates from an unprecedented multi-state lawsuit, in which Nevada joined 48 states in a $25 billion federal-state settlement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses and unacceptable nationwide mortgage servicing practices. These banks include Ally (GMAC), Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.
This program is a partnership between the AG’s office, Financial Guidance Center (FGC), Nevada Legal Services (NLS), and Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Participating HUD approved agencies in the program include: FGC, NLS, Housing for Nevada, Women’s Development Center, Community Services of Nevada, Neighborhood Housing Services, Novadebt, Springboard, and Chicanos Por La Causa.
The Home Again program creates a new and more efficient “single point of contact” call center. There is no fee for the call or to participate in the Home Again program.
After the initial call to the Home Again hotline at 1-855-HLP-4-NEV, the caller will be scheduled for an in-person counseling session to determine the resources and programs available. The client may receive assistance with accessing federal or state housing programs, be referred to a legal services organization for assistance (as needed), or receive advice on submitting a consumer complaint to the Attorney Generals’ office if it is suspected they have been a victim of mortgage fraud.
“Under the leadership of the Attorney General the Home Again program has solidified an unprecedented partnership among all Nevada HUD approved agencies,” said Michele Johnson, President & CEO of the Financial Guidance Center, the certified HUD agency that is administering the Home Again Program. “With a single phone number linking the public to multiple agencies, we can alleviate the frustration and confusion that many homeowners, former homeowners and distressed borrowers experience in their quest for relief.”
Beware of scams
Borrowers do not need to pay anyone for access to assistance. Attorney General Masto warns all homeowners to be aware of settlement-related scams. Do not provide personal information or pay money to anyone who calls or emails you claiming that they are providing settlement-related assistance. If you believe that someone is conducting a settlement-related scam, contact the Attorney General’s Hotline at 702-486-3132 to receive instructions on how to submit a complaint.
About Financial Guidance Center
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Nevada, Inc. D/B/A Financial Guidance Center (FGC) is an IRC 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the residents of the State of Nevada since 1972. An accredited agency by both the United Way of Southern Nevada and the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, FGC prides itself as being the ultimate “one-stop shop” for all Nevadans – developing, through behavior-oriented financial education, counseling, coaching, and access to additional financial stability and asset-development programs and resources, the capability for consumers to build, obtain and maintain assets as they work toward financial stability and develop resources to withstand economic shocks.
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