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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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DFL LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE PLAN TO SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS
Saint Paul, Minnesota – House DFL legislators unveiled legislation today that would provide support for responsible homeowners who continue to feel negative effects from the national home foreclosure crisis. The “Supporting Responsible Homeowners and Stabilizing Neighborhoods" Act would expand refinancing options for responsible homeowners, prevent needless foreclosures, and ensure greater transparency from lending institutions.
“While Minnesota’s economy is improving, the Legislature shouldn’t sit idle while the foreclosure crisis continues to impact middle class families,” said House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL – Minneapolis). “These bills will help responsible homeowners by halting needless foreclosures, make it easier for middle class Minnesotans to save money through refinancing, and will hold irresponsible bankers accountable for the kinds of practices that got us into this mess.”
A recent report showed that Minnesota has the 17th highest foreclosure rate in the nation with over 21,000 foreclosures in Minnesota in 2011. These totals are down 17% from 2010, but are still three times higher than foreclosure rates in 2005.
“Minnesotans are still struggling with the foreclosure crisis and in some neighborhoods the problem is as severe as ever. We may have turned a corner, but we shouldn’t pretend there isn’t more to be done,” said State Representative Joe Mullery (DFL – Minneapolis) “There are ways we can prevent needless home foreclosures and we should work together to accomplish this worthy goal.”
DFL legislators are offering support for responsible homeowners through a range of provisions that don't cost the state any money. The legislation focuses on ways to expand options to homeowners in difficult financial situations while making it easier and more transparent for them to work with banks.
The bills would not use any of the resources from the national settlement with the five large banks that are to be dedicated to homeowners. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has said she will direct these $43 million in funds directly to homeowners. DFL legislators agree this is the correct approach.
“We are pleased the Attorney General is focusing resources from the national settlements on homeowners – that’s precisely where the money should go,” said State Representative Karen Clark (DFL – Minneapolis). “Our proposals aim to build on our shared goal of helping Minnesotans who have been harmed by the foreclosure crisis and ultimately it can help stabilize housing across the state.”
The “Supporting Responsible Homeowners and Stabilizing Neighborhood” Act includes the following provisions:
Supporting Responsible Homeowners
• Expand refinancing options for responsible homeowners who are current on their mortgages, but face barriers, such as being “underwater,” which prevents them from taking advantage of historically low interest rates.
• Prevent needless foreclosures by providing a 12-month stay of foreclosure proceedings for unemployed homeowners who have lived in their home for ten years.
• Increase transparency for homeowners applying for loan modifications by requiring banks to provide clear and straightforward eligibility criteria, and protect homeowners against unnecessary foreclosure, including right of appeal.
• Make “dual tracking” illegal so that banks are not allowed to foreclose on a house while a loan modification is pending.
Holding Banks Accountable
• Require banks to notify homeowners of each and every loan modification option available to them so that no one is needlessly foreclosed upon when another solution available.
• Prohibits lenders and brokers from charging fees for services not performed
Some elements of the legislation included in this package have been introduced, while others are currently being drafted.
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