City Offers Help to Avoid Foreclosure

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The City of Jacksonville is offering a new resource for people in danger of losing their home.

Stay Home-Jacksonville connects local counselors, lenders and legal agencies with people having money problems.

"I thought I was going to be put out," said Rochelle Wright.

Earlier this year, Wright was between jobs and struggling to pay her bills, when a balloon payment came do on her adjustable rate mortgage.

"My son is special needs and I thought, 'oh my god. I don't know what I'm going to do,'" said Wright.

A friend suggested that she visit the website. Wright says she appreciated that all of the resources had been vetted.

"We know that they are HUD-certified. They have gone through a strenuous check trough our department and through the city," said City Housing Services Manager Dayatra Coles.

One of the counseling services was able to negotiate with Wright's mortgage company. She saved her house and switched to a fixed-rate. She now pays less, each month, than she did before the trouble started.

"I was absolutely thrilled. I was glad that resource was there for me. I could just kiss all of them," said Wright.

"They will try, if they can, they will save your home. They really will," Wright added.

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