Program available to homeowners facing foreclosure

Online resources are available for Washington homeowners facing foreclosure. The Foreclosure Fairness Act, passed in 2011, was designed to help homeowners and their lenders explore possible alternatives to foreclosure and reach a resolution when possible. The program, overseen by the Department of Commerce, provides counseling and information about possible mediation with lenders. Housing counseling services are free to Washington residents, and are funded by the state with money from lenders.

Thousands of homeowners have met with housing counselors free-of-charge, and hundreds have entered mediation with their lenders to avoid foreclosure. However, it is estimated that only 10 percent of homeowners facing foreclosure are using these resources. Program information is available online at http://www.homeownership.wa.gov.