The Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force is a statewide initiative that works to inform at-risk borrowers of the options available to them, link them with local housing counseling services, and increase the capacity of these local counseling organizations.  Originally facilitated by NeighborWorks® America beginning in 2007, the Task Force is currently comprised of representatives from over 90 organizations representing state, local, and federal government organizations, the financial industry, and the nonprofit sector, and other industry stakeholders working together toward a common goal- avert home mortgage foreclosures and the impact of foreclosure on Texas families and communities.  The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) serves as a participating member and the fiscal agent for the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force. (Task Force).

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about foreclosure or to see if you may be at risk of foreclosure, please click here.  

Are you at risk of foreclosure?

• Are you having trouble paying your mortgage payment or other bills each month?

• Has your financial situation changed dramatically due to a loss or reduction in your income, increasing medical expenses, divorce, or other reasons?

• Have you missed one or more mortgage payments?

If you are at risk of foreclosure or believe you may be at risk of foreclosure in the near future, there are free resources in your area that may be able to help you save your home and preserve your credit.

The HOPE Hotline 1-888-995-HOPE

The HOPE Hotline 1-888-995-HOPE is available toll free 24/7 to all homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments.

The HOPE Hotline Assists Homeowners By:

• Establishing communication with homeowner’s loan servicer;
• Creating a budget and an “action plan’ to address their financial difficulties;
• Connecting with local services such as foreclosure intervention/prevention counseling, housing counseling, credit counseling, and financial education.

HUD Approved Housing Counseling

The Task Force has established and supports a network of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the State of Texas. We recommend homeowners in need of foreclosure prevention and intervention counseling assistance utilize a federally regulated organization. These local non-profit organizations offer FREE foreclosure counseling in addition to other housing related services. 

Task Force Network Agencies:

For a complete list of HUD Approved housing counseling agencies in your area, please call HUD’s Housing Counseling Hotline at 800-569-4287 or click here.

In some areas of the state you may also find homeowner outreach events – look for events that offer HUD-approved housing counseling assistance provided free of charge to the homeowner.  For a list of upcoming homeowner outreach events, click here.

For more information about the foreclosure process, additional foreclosure prevention resources, and information about how to identify and report foreclosure scams, please visit the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force’s website at www.texasforeclosurehelp.org.

If you are a homeowner in jeopardy of losing your home, we encourage you to call your lender, seek homebuyer counseling, or call the HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE. Don’t wait… early communication is key!

Donate Now to the Initiative

The Task Force will compensate local counseling services up to $450 per family counseled, which is consistent with the national model set by the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling design.  Because the number of callers to the HOPE Hotline has increased dramatically over the past months, additional funding is needed to increase the number of local area providers and improve the capacity of existing local counseling organizations.  Specifically, the Task Force will use these funds both to provide training to local counseling organizations and to reimburse counselors for their services.

If you are interested in donating to the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, please click here for our 2009 Contribution Form. If you have any questions, you may also contact David Long, TSAHC President and Co-Chair of the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force.

If you are a counseling provider, financial institution, or simply looking for more information, please contact JoAnn DePenning, Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force Coordinator at jdepenning@austin.rr.com or for further information about The Task Force visit the following website at www.texasforeclosurehelp.org