Upcoming editorial: Mediation for foreclosures is good but not enough
Here's a preview of an editorial we're working on. Let us know what you think. The best comments will appear alongside it in the print edition.
With the number of home foreclosures on the rise again in Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s idea to require mediation before banks can begin proceedings to seize the homes of delinquent borrowers is a good idea, but it needs to be accompanied by more resources to help ensure legal representation for troubled homeowners. Many homeowners are losing their homes because they don’t know how to navigate the landscape of state and federal lending laws, and more might be able to stay in their homes if they were able to obtain qualified legal guidance. In addition to requiring mediation, lawmakers need to increase funding for legal assistance to homeowners, especially in the hardest-hit areas of state, and expand access to the courts for homeowners facing foreclosure.
Comments
At least now when people who can't afford to pay their mortgage they will have TAXPAYER FINANCED cell phones for ZERO dollars out of their own pocket.
Socialism is on its way and people better wake up because there will be so few of us paying for it.
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
"SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program
that provides a free cell phone and airtime each
month for income-eligible customers."
What can we give the non productive next? We pay for their mortgages, their heating, their food, their kids and now their cell phones.
Posted by: Fed Up | October 30, 2009 2:21 PM
Baltimore City foreclosures are a big deal. At the same time so is the lack of tranfer tax revenue for the city (our budget hole), as are the vacant houses including those in neighborhoods where $100's of million of private dollars were spent, that are now in decline. Does the city have an opportunity? Yes! Do you understand any of it? Probably not.
There HUGE opportunity for the city right now to expand its tax base, better community and prevent foreclosure. If you do not understand, please don't comment.
Posted by: Dunn | November 2, 2009 1:49 PM