Title
Resolution to Amend Contracts with Legal Services of South Central Michigan and Housing Bureau for Seniors for Foreclosure Prevention and Counseling Services ($70,001.00 FY 2011 General Fund) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The Office of Community Development (CD) is requesting that City Council approve amendments to Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) and the Housing Bureau for Seniors’ (HBS) existing Foreclosure Prevention and Counseling Services contracts by extending the contracts to June 30, 2012 and increasing the contract amount by $40,000 for LSSCM and $30,001 for HBS. The funds are included in the FY 2011 Office of Community Development General Fund budget. Community Development is collaborating with the Tax and Mortgage Foreclosure Taskforce, which includes the Washtenaw County Treasurer’s Office, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, MSU Extension, and the Housing Bureau for Seniors.
This collaboration provides a comprehensive response to the mortgage and tax foreclosure problem, and compliments the City’s utility shut-off grants and payment plans, poverty tax exemptions, annexation fee waivers, and homeowner loans for sidewalk repairs and housing rehabilitation.
The Foreclosure Taskforce members provide education, counseling, advocacy, legal services and emergency loan services. The intake services and mortgage counselors are housed at MSU Extension and will work one-on-one with residents with mortgage foreclosure issues. A foreclosure counselor will work with seniors at the Housing Bureau for Seniors. Two tax foreclosure counselors are housed at the County Treasurer’s Office who work one-on-one with residents who have tax foreclosure issues. A revolving loan fund is used to help people who are in a crisis, but have the ability to keep up with their loan payments after a work-out plan. Legal Services of South Central Michigan will provide legal advocacy and loan reviews to residents.
The Office of Community Development ...
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