ATTORNEY GENERAL NEWS RELEASE
LAS VEGAS — Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto today reminded qualified borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure that January 18 is the deadline for filing claims for a one-time payment under the $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement. These borrowers are encouraged to contact the Home Again hotline (1-855-HLP-4-NEV) for assistance. One week after the launch of the new Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program the call center has fielded 2,260 contacts (2,015 calls, 245 online inquiries) – further evidence that Nevadans need a place to turn to resolve their real estate problems.
“With the national mortgage settlement payment deadline looming, I hope affected Nevadans will take advantage of this opportunity to call Home Again for fast free, and secure assistance so they can benefit from some relief,” said Masto. “Though the one-page claim forms are simple to complete, I encourage borrowers to call our new one-stop shop to determine what state or federal assistance may be available to them.”
“Whether help is needed to complete national mortgage settlement program claim forms or to learn about housing resources and options that may be available Home Again is here to help Nevadans who have been affected by one of the biggest problems impacting our state,” said Michele Johnson, President & CEO of the Financial Guidance Center, the certified HUD agency that is administering the Home Again Program. “There remains a great deal of confusion about what state or federal programs are available and we are here to help those who call navigate through this process.”
“There are homeowners and borrowers in the state who are suffering financially and don’t know where to turn. With a single phone call we can link them to multiple agencies and help alleviate the frustration and confusion that many homeowners, former homeowners and distressed borrowers experience in their quest for financial relief,” Johnson added.
More than 66,800 borrowers in Nevada are eligible to receive payment under the national mortgage settlement. The payments will be at least $840, and will very likely be substantially higher, depending upon the number of qualified borrowers nationwide who decide to participate. Nationally, approximately 1.75 million mortgage loans are eligible, including 66,833 in Nevada.
Home Again, a no-fee service, is available for all Nevadans by calling toll free 1-855-HLP-4-NEV (1-855-457-4638) with both English and Spanish-speaking assistance available. The call center is open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information is also available at www.HomeAgainNevada.gov. Click on the link to view the Home Again Commercial: http://youtu.be/gjkVL5p0zjU.
This program is a partnership between the AG’s office, Financial Guidance Center (FGC), Nevada Legal Services (NLS), and Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Participating HUD approved agencies in the program include: FGC, NLS, Housing for Nevada, Women’s Development Center, Community Services of Nevada, Neighborhood Housing Services, Novadebt, Springboard, and Chicanos Por La Causa.
After the initial call to the Home Again hotline at 1-855-HLP-4-NEV, the caller will bescheduled for an in-person counseling session to determine the resources and programs available. The client may receive assistance with accessing federal or state housing programs, be referred to a legal services organization for assistance (as needed), or receive advice on submitting a consumer complaint to the Attorney Generals’ office if it is suspected they have been a victim of mortgage fraud.
For more information about eligibility and filing a claim directly with the National Mortgage Settlement:
- Website: www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Call toll-free: 1-866-430-8358 (hearing impaired: 1-866-494-8281). The line is staffed Monday through Friday from (5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific).
About Financial Guidance Center
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Nevada, Inc. D/B/A Financial Guidance Center (FGC) is an IRC 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the residents of the State of Nevada since 1972. An accredited agency by both the United Way of Southern Nevada and the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, FGC prides itself as being the ultimate “one-stop shop” for all Nevadans – developing, through behavior-oriented financial education, counseling, coaching, and access to additional financial stability and asset-development programs and resources, the capability for consumers to build, obtain and maintain assets as they work toward financial stability and develop resources to withstand economic shocks.
