City and county officials are teaming up with nonprofits to
provide free information to homeowners facing foreclosure at a
workshop on Nov. 20 in San Juan Bautista.
This year more than 1,450 homeowners in Santa Cruz County and
more than 500 in San Benito County have received a notice of
default.
City and county officials are teaming up with nonprofits to provide free information to homeowners facing foreclosure at a workshop on Nov. 20 in San Juan Bautista.
This year more than 1,450 homeowners in Santa Cruz County and more than 500 in San Benito County have received a notice of default.
The notice is the first step in the foreclosure process, triggered when borrowers fall behind on payments by 90 days. If homeowners are unable to catch up on payments, modify their mortgage or refinance, their home can be sold at a foreclosure auction.
So far this year, more than 600 homes in Santa Cruz County have been sold at foreclosure auctions, up 9 percent from a year ago, and 300 in San Benito County, down 16 percent from last year.
A panel of experts as well as representatives from federal, state and county government will speak at the workshop – from 1-5 p.m. at San Juan Bautista Elementary School – telling homeowners facing foreclosure what to expect and what options might be available.
The process is complicated and can be emotionally devastating, according to staff at the Watsonville Law Center, which is coordinating the free workshop so people can get information from trustworthy sources.
Homeowners will learn about tax consequences of foreclosure, get free and low-cost resources and find out where to find HUD-certified housing counseling, debt counseling, credit counseling and bankruptcy help. They also will hear about resources for emotional support and how to report fraud and avoid “rescue” scams.
Organizers said solicitors who attend will be asked to leave.
This event is put on by a partnership of the city of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County and Monterery County District Attorney’s Office, Rep. Sam Farr, the Law Offices of Simmons and Purdy, California Rural Legal Assistance, SurePath Financial Solutions, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union Neighborhood Housing Services and the Housing Resource Center.
Spanish translation will be provided.
