ANDERSON — As foreclosures become more of a problem in Anderson and Madison County, the Community Development Department is working to educate residents about their options before they abandon their homes.
“That seems to be an issue, that people don’t even know that there is anything out there available,” said Beth McKenzie, housing rehabilitation administrator for Community Development. “Maybe it will help that they can be aware.”
Partnering with the local branch of Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling, the department is creating more publicity for services regarding potential foreclosure.
“If they are one or more payments behind, it may be possible to work out something with their lender and lot of people don’t know that,” she said.
Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling is a Housing and Urban Development-certified group that helps people with foreclosure problems as well as credit issues, according to Cindy Pratt, branch coordinator for the company in Anderson.
“We’re very excited about it, and we’re pleased to be a part of it,” Pratt said. “It’s an exciting thing for a city to come forward and do this. As far as I’m aware, this is the only city to do something like this. I think everybody thinks this is somebody else’s problem. There is a lack of understanding, I think, too, that there are solutions that can happen. A lot of times, the problems can resolved.”
The foreclosure counseling is among several projects the Community Development Department is doing to rejuvenate Anderson. The department is also sponsoring the construction of two eco-friendly houses and will be opening a satellite city office at the Wilson’s Boys & Girls Club.
The county had 1,005 sheriff’s sales list in 2007, and it is headed for more this year, according to Abby Ramsey, court administrator. There were 527 sheriff’s sales between January and May this year, she said, and 157 more are set for June and July. To compare, only 61 houses went on sheriff’s sale in 1994, and 46 in 1995.
“We’re getting into Pendleton and Elwood right now, big time,” Ramsey said.
However, she estimated about 60 percent of the sales come from Anderson.
“A lot of them are Anderson, but right now it’s really hitting Elwood and Pendleton,” she said.
According to RealtyTrac.com, a privately-owned publisher of one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive foreclosure databases, Anderson has 297 houses in the pre-foreclosure process. The site also reported 306 houses owned by banks.
“We’re trying to make sure public awareness gets out, and then, in some instances, there may be some ways our department can step in and help out,” McKenzie said. “If (Momentive) feels it is feasible, based on the situation, they can refer a certain number of people to us, and we may be able to help. Whether they are referred to us or not, they’re going to get help as far as saving their home.”
Pratt said some families might not be able to keep their homes, but the service can help with credit issues also.
“If someone comes in and they absolutely have no way to keep the home, there are still other options that the client can use that would be less detrimental than going through a formal foreclosure,” she said.
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To contact Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling:
Call (765) 640-0119
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