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State Representative Carolyn Laine
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4331
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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LOCAL LEGISLATORS PLEDGE HELP FOR RESIDENTS FACING FORECLOSURE
Even after passing the nation's leading policies on predatory lending and mortgage foreclosure, the housing crisis is still hitting Minnesota hard. With the housing market in serious trouble, and mortgage foreclosures on the rise, State Representatives Jim Abeler, Denise Dittrich, Paul Gardner, Carolyn Laine, and Kathy Tingelstad have pledged to make their offices a resource for constituents who are facing the possibility of losing their homes.
"We want to do everything we possibly can to help people keep their homes through these challenging times," said Rep. Paul Gardner, who represents District 53A. "A lot of Minnesotans are facing some tough situations right now, but we want them to know that help is available."
Minnesota is currently tied for fourth in the nation when it comes to the percentage of sub-prime mortgages in foreclosure – with over 4,000 foreclosures in the third quarter alone. In fact, in the last year, Minnesota has seen a troubling 152 percent increase in mortgage foreclosures. With no end in sight, these legislators are committed to helping residents keep their homes through these troubling times.
"This is a serious problem, particularly in the northern suburbs," said Rep. Denise Dittrich, who represents Coon Rapids and Champlin. "But in some cases there are things that can be done to avoid foreclosure, so that hard-working Minnesota families don't have to lose their homes. Our offices are prepared and capable of exhausting all available resources to help homeowners through this housing crisis on a case-by-case basis."
These legislators admit that not every homeowner will be able to avoid falling victim to foreclosure. But, they say, it is essential for Minnesotans to exhaust all possible avenues to keep their homes.
"By acting quickly, we might be able to stop some of these foreclosures before they happen," said Rep. Jim Abeler, who represents District 48B. "But oftentimes, constituents call us only after it's too late. That's why it is so important for people to contact us early."
Rep. Carolyn Laine, a first-term legislator representing Columbia Heights, Fridley, and St. Anthony agrees. "Waiting to seek help only increases a homeowner's chance of losing his or her home. I encourage any resident at risk of foreclosure to contact me as soon as possible."
"Solving these problems before they get out of hand is good for an individual or family facing foreclosure, and good for our communities," said State Representative Kathy Tingelstad of Coon Rapids. "The next few years are going to be difficult for some homeowners, but by working together we may be able to ensure that some families emerge from these troubling years without having to face foreclosure."
These five legislators cite the Home Ownership Center as an excellent resource for finding help in the face of foreclosure. The HOC website, detailing foreclosure resources by county, can be found at http://www.hocmn.org/map.cfm?pageID=7. The website lists both the Anoka County Community Action Program and the Neighborhood Development Alliance as credible and effective community resources for homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Reps. Abeler, Dittrich, Gardner, Laine, and Tingelstad pledge to be strong liaisons between constituents facing foreclosure, and these key resources.
Rep. Abeler can be reached by phone at (651) 296-1729 or by email at rep.jim.abeler@house.mn.
Rep. Dittrich can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5513 or by email at rep.denise.dittrich@house.mn.
Rep. Gardner can be reached by phone at (651) 296-2907 or by email at rep.paul.gardner@house.mn.
Rep. Laine can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4331 or by email at rep.carolyn.laine@house.mn.
Rep. Tingelstad can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5369 or by email at rep.kathy.tingelstad@house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Laine Introduces Bill to Increase HMO Transparency - (Posted: 2012-02-13 00:00:00)
- New Law Gives Minnesotans a Natural Choice for Care of Deceased - (Posted: 2010-04-22 00:00:00)
- PROGRESS MADE IN 2009 SESSION, BUT MUCH MORE WORK AHEAD - (Posted: 2009-06-03 00:00:00)
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