December 2022
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced a new website and awareness campaign to support struggling homeowners at risk of foreclosure. OHCS worked together with the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), in partnership with Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ), to develop
www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org as a central hub for foreclosure prevention resources.
With the expiration of the mortgage foreclosure moratorium, many households may be at risk if they are missing their mortgage payments. Some Oregonians are not aware there may be ways to avoid foreclosure.
The emphasis of the awareness campaign is to direct homeowners who are worried about being able to make their mortgage payment, or who have received a foreclosure letter from their servicer, to do one of two things:
- Call 211 to be put into contact with certified housing counselors at one of the many homeownership centers throughout the state.
- Visit
www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org for more information.
Housing counselors can be an advocate for the homeowner. The earlier the homeowner reaches out for help, the more options they will have.
The website can also help homeowners avoid falling victim to fraud and connect them with legal assistance.
If a homeowner has provided information to a scammer and believes they are a victim of a scam, they should do the following:
- File a police report to document the crime for their creditors. Make sure they get the report number and a copy.
- Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338 (toll-free) or at
www.ftc.gov.
- Call their creditors such as their bank or credit union, credit card company, cell phone provider and other utilities, and their health insurance provider.
- File a complaint with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation or call 888-877-4894
If you know of a homeowner in need of help, have them visit
www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org or call 211 to be connected to a housing counselor in their area.