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Eight/KAET-TV Launches FACING THE MORTGAGE CRISIS ― Mortgage counselors staff phone banks for June 17 broadcast ― The mortgage crisis has had a dramatic impact across the country, but it has been especially devastating to families, neighborhoods and communities in Arizona. According to Realtytrac.com, Arizona continues to post one of the highest foreclosure totals in the U.S. Even more troubling: A majority of those facing foreclosure are not seeking assistance when assistance is available to them. In response to the mounting crisis, Eight/KAET-TV is launching Facing the Mortgage Crisis, a community engagement initiative designed to connect area residents to trusted foreclosure prevention resources that can help. Building on its role as a public media organization, Eight has gathered expert input from a variety of community organizations and is working to connect those in need with those who can help. Assisting Eight with Facing the Mortgage Crisis are Acorn Housing, Arizona Department of Housing, Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, Chicanos por La Causa, Community Housing Resources of Arizona, Community Services of Arizona, Inc., Genesis Housing Services, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Greenpath Solutions, Housing Our Communities, Labor’s Community Service Agency, Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix, Springboard, and Take Charge America. Facing the Mortgage Crisis launches June 17, 2009. Every day for the next several months, Eight will broadcast a series of short, informative on-air spots, directing homeowners to organizations throughout Arizona that offer assistance free of charge. On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m., Eight’s Ted Simons hosts an in-depth special, Ask a Mortgage Expert: Facing the Mortgage Crisiswith guests Patricia Garcia Duarte, Chair of the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force & C.E.O. of Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix; Bob Zumoff, Senior Litigation Council for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General; and Reginald Givens, Neighborhood Stabilization Program Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Housing. The panel will explore the issues closest to homeowners who are threatened with foreclosure, including how to negotiate with the lender if you’re in danger of missing payments, how to handle phone calls and notices from lenders, and most importantly, when to seek assistance. More than 20 mortgage counselors will also be on hand to take viewers’ calls and guide them through the many aspects of these issues related to the mortgage crisis. Phone lines will be open Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1-877-448-1211. In addition to the on-air components of the Facing the Mortgage Crisis initiative, residents can find resources on Eight’s Facing the Mortgage Crisis Web site at www.azpbs.org/mortgagecrisis. The site contains all of the information presented on-air, as well as the Arizona Mortgage Foreclosure Workbook, Google® maps to HUD-approved housing counselors, scam prevention tips, home buyers’ bill of rights, community resources and much more. The toll-free phone number 1-877-448-1211 connects callers directly to trained counselors who are on duty to provide assistance. “As a member of the Arizona community for nearly 50 years, Eight has a vested interest in the people we serve. Eight's television broadcast and multi-media reach and capabilities are uniquely suited to provide public education and facilitate civic engagement around the challenges of the mortgage crisis,” says Kelly McCullough, Eight General Manager. |
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