A program established last year has enabled more than 2,500 North Carolina homeowners to avoid foreclosure, the N.C. Office of the Commissioner of Banks announced this morning.
"We are thrilled our program has given so many homeowners the tools they need to avoid foreclosure," Mark Pearce, chief deputy commissioner of banks, said in a prepared statement.
The State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project, announced last November, enables homeowners who are having trouble remaining current on their mortgages to call a toll-free number and receive counseling and legal advise through a network of government and nonprofit agencies. The toll-free number is 866-234-4857.
Foreclosure filings in the state are up 14 percent this year because of the recession but the foreclosure rate still ranks 36th out of the 50 states, according to the state commissioner's office.
The program, created by the General Assembly, was begun to help homeowners with subprime loans. It was expanded in September to include traditional loans.
David Ranii has been a business reporter at The News & Observer since 1993. Over the years he has covered information technology, banking, insurance, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, media businesses and real estate. Contact him at 919-829-4877 or 
Comments
homeowner
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 03:34 — Lisa_P<a href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/12/28/home-save-money/ ">Homeowners</a> are facing record high rates of foreclosure, but a huge number of mortgages that aren't talked about are actually mortgages on rental properties. People facing foreclosure that are renters, are in a far more vicarious situation, which is why new federal legislation has been enacted that grants them extra protection.
Too little too late.
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 17:29 — TheMoleWOW out of 8 million residents only 2500 got the help. Why wasn't anyone concerned until now ANYWAY?? NC programs mostly get mishandled, mismanaged and just MISUSED!!!!! Well a good Christmas to the FEW out of MANY who were graced enough to have someone HELP THEM.