Concord, NH – March 19, 2008 – New Hampshire Housing and the New Hampshire Bankers Association announced today they have partnered in a campaign to bring awareness of the national HOPE Hotline initiative to New Hampshire citizens. Joining the two organizations, Senator John Sununu and Congressman Paul Hodes joined with representatives from New Hampshire’s nonprofit housing and banking communities to kick-off the campaign aimed at early intervention to prevent foreclosures. The HOPE Hotline offers free, confidential counseling service for homeowners and can be reached by dialing 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).
With the financial support of New Hampshire Housing and the NH Bankers Association, the national NeighborWorks ® advertising campaign promoting the HOPE Hotline will be brought to New Hampshire. From March 26 through June 17, the national television advertisements will air on network and cable stations throughout the state to raise public awareness of its availability and the free service it provides.
“We know the best way to stop the foreclosure crisis from escalating is early intervention,” said Dean J. Christon, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing. “Foreclosure is a complex problem for which there is no easy solution. It is clear, however, that the chances that a borrower struggling to pay their mortgage will be able to avoid foreclosure are improved if they have access to competent, independent advice about the options and alternatives available to them.”
Jerry Little, President of the NH Bankers Association, offered this advice: “A homeowner needs to be realistic and honest about his or her situation. Strong, open communication is the key, which is why the NH Bankers Association implores families facing mortgage troubles to contact their lender immediately. Ignoring the matter won’t make it go away, and will make the situation worse.”
LaRayne Hebert, the New England District Director of NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit that teamed with the Ad Council to create the original HOPE Hotline ad campaign, said, “NeighborWorks America is pleased to partner with New Hampshire Housing and the NH Bankers Association to combat the rising epidemic of foreclosures that not only tear apart homes and families, but have terrible consequences for our communities and for our economy.”
The HOPE Hotline offers homeowners free, confidential and individualized counseling over the phone, and can also offer information about other assistance that may be available in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Callers may be referred for face-to-face counseling with local HUD-approved counselors.
The Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization, manages the Hotline. National funders include a range of private and public entities such as Fannie Mae and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on HOPE, visit www.foreclosurehelpandhope.org.
New Hampshire Housing is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation established by the State Legislature. The Authority operates a number of programs designed to assist low- and moderate-income persons to obtain housing. Since its inception, New Hampshire Housing has assisted more than 36,000 families with purchasing their own homes and has been instrumental in financing the creation of more than 14,000 multi-family housing units.
The New Hampshire Bankers Association is a statewide, not-for-profit trade association representing and serving all of the banking institutions in the state of New Hampshire whose purpose is to promote the general welfare, usefulness and public perception of banks and banking institutions to the betterment of New Hampshire, its economy and its citizens.
For Further Information, Please Contact: Jane Law, Director, Communications
Phone: 603-310-9255
Email: jlaw (at) nhhfa (dot) org
