Losing a property can be devastating – especially if it is the family home. While not every situation is the same, many have similarities, and there are many options available to property owners to try to forestall a property from going to Sheriff Sale.
Owners get many warnings that they are in potential danger of losing a property starting with the self warning of missing a payment. Ignoring missed payments and communications from lenders or tax authorities isn’t helpful in this process. We’ve compiled helpful information, phone numbers, and website URLs that should be useful to almost anyone facing the possibility of losing property.
Lenders, Certified Housing Counselors, and taxing authorities offer opportunities to reverse potential loss through advice, payment plans, reduction of mortgage, and short sales. All may not be the decision or first choice, but trying to save any equity accumulated while you’ve owned a property – or retain the ownership – is possible.
This information is available on the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office website. https://www.officeofphiladelphiasheriff.com/en/avoid-losing-your-home/home-owner-resources
SaveYourHomePhilly Hotline
The SaveYourHomePhilly hotline is the only government-authorized foreclosure prevention program in Philadelphia and should be your first call if you need help to stay in your home. The hotline is staffed with lawyers and paralegals trained in housing law who can help you work out an agreement with your mortgage company and refer you to other legal services available to eligible low-income homeowners. All services are FREE!
For more information about SaveYourHome-Philly visit www.saveyourhomephilly.org or call the SaveYourHomePhilly hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663).
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues.
For more information and to locate a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, visit www.hud.gov and search for HUD Approved Counseling Agencies to locate an agency in your neighborhood.
OHCD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
The City of Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development supports 30 approved housing counseling agencies that offer free counseling services to residents of Philadelphia.
Visit the Housing and Community Development website to find a housing counseling agency that can help you in your situation, https://www.phila.gov/departments/division-of-housing-and-community-development/.
The Making Home Affordable Program
The Making Home Affordable Program is an important part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive plan to stabilize the U.S. housing market by helping homeowners get mortgage relief and avoid foreclosure. For more information, visit the Making Home Affordable call 888-995-HOPE (4673) or visit the website at https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/pages/default.aspx
PHFA Foreclosure Prevention Information
The Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency has developed this list of resources to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. For more information, visit our website at https://www.phfa.org/homeowners/foreclosure.aspx
Fannie Mae Foreclosure Assistance Resources
Whether a renter, prospective homebuyer, or a homeowner struggling with your mortgage, Fannie Mae has developed this site to offer a variety of resources. Visit the Know your Options website at https://www.knowyouroptions.com/ to access Fannie Mae Resource for Housing Education and Information.
Freddie Mac Foreclosure Assistance Resources
If your home is backed by Freddie Mac, this link has many helpful tools you can use in discussions with your lender.
Visit https://myhome.freddiemac.com/ for more information from Freddie Mac on Renting, Buying, and Owning your Home.
Urban Affairs Coalition Foreclosure Prevention Resources
The Urban Affairs Coalition has developed a series of brochures and reports that provide useful information about the foreclosure process and the resources available to avoid losing your home. Visit https://cedphilly.org/foreclosure-prevention to access the UrbanAffairs Coalition Foreclosure Prevention Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philadelphia Tax Delinquency
The Philadelphia Department of revenue developed a list of answers to frequently asked questions about tax delinquency. Visit the Revenue Department website at https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-revenue/.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is dedicated to providing high-quality, creative legal services, advice, and referrals for eligible low-income people. For more information, visit the Philadelphia Legal Assistance website at https://www.philalegal.org/
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia Community Legal Services (CLS) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that provides free legal services, in civil matters, to low-income Philadelphians.
For more information, contact Community Legal Services at https://clsphila.org/ or call their Center City 215-981-3700 or North Philadelphia 215-227-2400 offices.
