Foreclosure prevention help available

Homeowners on the brink of foreclosure can meet and seek assistance from real estate specialists this week in Mineola and Selden, as part of a statewide foreclosure prevention program.

The initiative, which allows struggling homeowners to meet privately with Department of Financial Services employees, is statewide. So far this year, foreclosure prevention specialists in the agency have visited with more than 500 homeowners at more than a dozen sites.

The state said specialists have assisted homeowners in different phases of the foreclosure process, including when they are applying for mortgage modifications, and even investigating complaints of mortgage-lending abuse. After a consultation, specialists often refer homeowners to nonprofit organizations, a department representative said.

“It is important that homeowners who start to see financial problems know that there are more options available to them if they act sooner, rather than later,” Benjamin M. Lawsky, superintendent of financial services, said in a statement. “The foreclosure-prevention program allows homeowners to meet one-on-one with foreclosure-prevention specialists who are knowledgeable and can offer practical guidance.”

Tomorrow, homeowners can visit the Nassau County Bar Association, 15 West St. in Mineola, between 3 and 7 p.m. In Selden, foreclosure-prevention specialists will be on hand Friday at the Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Rd., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.