UNA seeks sponsors for foreclosure-prevention event

The Missouri Homeownership Preservation Network – led by Urban Neighborhoods Alliance and St. Louis organization Beyond Housing – is presenting a Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Training program 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. March 19–21. Classes will be held at Ozarks Technical Community College.

The training will feature NeighborWorks America National Training Institute classes and instructors. About 70 participants are expected; attendee registration ended in February.

Foreclosures in Missouri increased 96.5 percent in 2006, according to Foreclosures.com, a California-based real estate investment advisory firm and publisher of foreclosure property information. The nationwide spike in foreclosures – up 51 percent last year – has been reflected in the Springfield area, as well.

According to UNA, the rise in foreclosures directly follows the increase in nonprime loans originated over the past few years, especially adjustable-rate loans for low-income families.

The training program will teach housing counselors and other professionals how to assist homeowners in sorting through their financial situations, establishing budgets and working on negotiations between homeowners and their loan servicers.

Business sponsorship opportunities range in price from $250 to $3,000. To sponsor the program, contact UNA Executive Director Bob Horton at (417) 865-4774.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Feb. 28 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.