Pennsylvania County Will Provide Distressed Citizens One Chance To Prevent Foreclosure Proceedings

Recognizing that a significant number of homeowners are battling with their mortgage lenders to prevent foreclosure, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, is providing citizens who have missed mortgage payments the opportunity to delay proceedings, according to the Sun Gazette.

The county Law Association, North Penn Legal Services, STEP Housing Counseling Services and the courts have established a diversionary conference that may allow homeowners to receive free legal representation at proceedings and provide them with more time to resolve their financial issues. Consumers would also be set up with a STEP housing counselor to explore available financial options, the newspaper said.

"We believe all parties filing mortgage foreclosures in our courts would be better served by having a one-time opportunity for a pre-trial settlement conference," Judge Richard Gray told the newspaper.

Debt relief options are being offered on county, state and federal levels as lawmakers and officials try to help Americans save their homes. Some mortgage companies, such as Fannie Mae, are also coming up with mortgage relief and modification programs to both help consumers and reduce their losses.