IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS

FORECLOSURE FAST FACTS

Homeowners

The Hope Hotline 1-888-995-HOPE offers free, confidential help and assistance to homeowners with mortgage problems 24 hours a day / 7 days a week in English and Spanish.

Anti-Predatory Lending If you feel you have been taken advantage of or misled by a lender, call Legal Services of New Jersey at 1-888-576-5529. Legal Services of New Jersey provides legal representation to low-income New Jersey homeowners. Homeowners regardless of income level may file a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance by calling 1-800-446-7467.

Housing Counseling Agencies listed below have been trained in foreclosure prevention counseling. These agencies also provide Mortgage Assistance Funds to homeowners to bring mortgages current or to refinance or renegotiate the terms of the mortgage. Homeowners must work with one of the following counseling agencies to determine eligibility for Mortgage Assistance Funds.

Renters

You cannot be evicted without notice and without good cause. This is true even when a bank or mortgage lender files an action to foreclose on your rented property because your landlord has not paid the mortgage. If you feel that you are at risk of being evicted from your rental home because of a foreclosure, here are some numbers you can call for help:

1. Legal Services of New Jersey 1-888-576-5529
2. NJ Department of the Public Advocate 609-826-5070
3. New Jersey Tenants’ Organization 201-342-3775

In general, New Jersey law protects tenants against eviction from their homes so long as they:

1. pay the rent,
2. respect the peace and quiet of their neighbors,
3. avoid willful or grossly negligent damage to the property, and
4. obey the reasonable rules they have agreed to in writing.

The laws protecting tenants from eviction apply throughout foreclosure proceedings and continue to have effect even after a new owner buys the property.

Homelessness Prevention

NJ Homelessness Prevention Program provides limited financial assistance to low and moderate income tenants and homeowners in imminent danger of eviction or foreclosure due to temporary financial problems beyond their control. Funds are used to disburse payments in the forms of loans and grants to landlords and mortgage companies. Please call toll-free 1-866-889-6270.

Home Heating Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. This year, the application period is November 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009.

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a program created by the State of New Jersey to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income households. If you are eligible, USF can lower the amount you pay for gas and electricity.

For more information on LIHEAP and the USF or to locate the nearest application agency, call 1-800-510-3102 or 609-292-6140. Additional information about LIHEAP and USF, including an application is also available at their website by clicking here.

NJ SHARES is a non-profit organization charged with a mission to provide assistance to individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in paying their energy bills. Call 1-866-NJSHARES or click here to visit the NJ SHARES website to find out how to apply.

NJ Weatherization Program assists elderly, handicapped and low-income persons in weathering their homes, improving their heating system efficiency and conserving energy. Call 609-633-2378 to find a service provider near you.

The following is a list of housing counseling agencies in New Jersey who have partnered with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and have been specifically trained in foreclosure prevention and asset preservation. These trained counselors can set up a plan of action designed just for you and your situation. They will help you find a solution to your financial problems that will work for you.

A-Home 400 East Main St Millville, NJ 08332 856-293-0100	CCRC of Delaware Valley One Cherry Hill Park Suite 215 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 215-563-5665	O.C.E.A.N., Inc. 22 Hyers St Toms River, NJ 08753 732-244-2351 ext. 14	Affordable Housing Alliance of NJ 59 Broad St Eatontown, NJ 07724 732-389-2958
Faith Fellowship CDC 2707 Main St Sayreville, NJ 08872 732-727-9500	Puerto Rican Action Board 90 Jersey Avenue PO Box 240 New Brunswick, NJ 08903 732-249-9700	American Credit Alliance, Inc 23 South Warren St Trenton, NJ 08608 609-393-5400	Isles 619 Greenwood Ave Trenton, NJ 08609 609-341-4733
Tri-City Peoples Corp. 55 Washington St East Orange, NJ 07017 973-676-5506	Atlantic Human Resources 1 South New York Ave Suite 303 Atlantic City, NJ 08401 609-348-4131	NJ Counseling & Housing Development 1840 So. Broadway Camden, NJ 08104 856-541-1000	Tri-County Community Action 110 Cohancey St Bridgeton, NJ 08302 856-451-6330
Brand New Day 176 First St Elizabeth, NJ 07206 908-282-0781	NJ Citizen Action 744 Broad St Newark, NJ 07102 973-643-8800	First Baptist CDC 630 Franklin Blvd Suite 102 Somerset, NJ 08873 732-247-0444 ext. 1016	NJ Citizen Action 75 Raritan Ave Suite 200 Highland Park, NJ 08904 732-246-4772