Foreclosure Prevention Counselors.

What is an "foreclosure prevention counselors" and how would I get one? Good question, and hopefully this article from TwinCities.com will help clarify a few things...

Do you fear foreclosure will cause you to lose your home?

Help is on the way.

On Friday, members of a private-public partnership announced that an additional $1.8 million will be available to fund foreclosure prevention counselors.

The extra money will fund 37 counselors - up from 18 working statewide.

Homeowners needing help working through their mortgage or foreclosure problems should call the Home Ownership Center at 651-659-9336, or 866-462-6466 outside the Twin Cities.

"Many of these foreclosures can be prevented by asking for help," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who announced the beefed up program Friday at Lutheran Social Services.

The earlier people call for help, the easier it is for them to stay in their homes, state Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson said.

State, nonprofit and business officials estimate the extra counselors will be able to prevent an additional 5,700 families from losing their homes.

But that's just a fraction of the number of families who might face foreclosure.

The Greater Minnesota Housing Fund estimates that 20,573 families will lose their homes through foreclosure this year. Another 60,000 will fall behind on their mortgage payments. Even experts don't know how bad the mortgage crisis will get before the market - and families - are able to find stability.

Here is the link the full article...