Help available today for seniors facing foreclosure

Seniors facing home foreclosure or hoping to avoid a future crisis are invited to attend a free workshop from 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. today at the Carson City Senior Center.

Five counselors from the Washoe County Senior Law Project will provide one-on-one help to those experiencing difficulty making their mortgage payments.

The seminar also includes a presentation on the foreclosure process.

"We will be going over documents to see who is eligible for HAMP," the Home Affordable Modification Program, said Ernie Nielsen, a lawyer for the Washoe County program.

"We will look at the market value of their homes versus what they owe, and help them know what to do to be successful when applying or dealing with servicers," he said.

"Some people might be facing mediation, and we can help them know what to do to prepare for that. There are a lot of different variables," he said.

For those who ultimately will face losing their home, Nielsen said his counselors also can help.

For people 62 and older, reverse mortgages are available during ordinary times, but now, he said, so many homes are "way upside down" that the option isn't as readily available. Still, he said, there are ways for mortgage holders to work with homeowners so that monthly payments can possibly be reduced.

To receive the best assistance, attendees should bring the following:

• Driver's license

• Deed of Trust

• Copies of most recent billing statements and mortgager's correspondence

• Copies of last two pay stubs or Social Security benefits documentation, or profit and loss statement if self-employed

• Copies of the most recent bank statements

• Completed budget/-monthly spending plan

For more information, call 328-2592.