Hope Now Event Assists N.J. Homeowners Affected by Sandy

Several of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers, housing counseling nonprofits, insurance companies and local entities gathered in New Jersey to offer face-to-face assistance to approximately 550 New Jersey homeowners affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Organized in Sayreville, the event aimed to cut red tape and speed up the delivery of mortgage and insurance related assistance to affected homeowners, said NeighborWorks America Northeast regional director, Deborah Boatright, by offering them face-to-face time “with lenders, housing counselors, insurance representatives and others, who can offer assistance,” and is widely recognized as the most efficient workout strategy.

The State of New Jersey and other local agencies joined Hope Now alliance members, lenders, servicers, nonprofits and government agencies that came together for the event on very short notice donating time, funding and other resources, said executive director of Hope Now, Eric Selk.

Participants included Bank of America, Chase, Citi Mortgage, GMAC Mortgage, Homeward Residential, HSBC, M&T, Nationstar, Ocwen, OneWest, PHH, PNC, Select Portfolio Servicing, SunTrust and Wells Fargo, along with several local HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling agencies, insurers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FEMA.

The event was co-sponsored by NeighborWorks America, Faith Fellowship Community Development Corp., New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey, and New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.