At a June 14 City Hall ceremony, the First Judicial District announced the Philadelphia Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program has enabled about 85 percent of participating homeowners to remain in their homes.
Girard Estate native and Common Pleas Judge Annette Rizzo and former Common Pleas President Judge C. Darnell Jones initiated the three-year-old program to combat the housing foreclosure crisis. The percent of homes sold at Sheriff’s sales declined from 27.2 percent to 5.7 percent while 50 percent of homeowners in foreclosure who did not use the program no longer live in their homes since the program was installed, according to an independent study of the program.
“While the Diversion Program has received national acclaim,” Rizzo said, “this study provides an independent analysis that documents the efficacy of the program.”
It requires mandatory conciliation between homeowners, lenders, pro bono attorneys and housing counselors in an attempt to reach resolutions on cases slated for sale. The Dixon House, 1920 S. 20th St., and United Communities, 2029 S. Eighth St., are teaming with the initiative to specifically help homeowners facing foreclosure.
Contact the SaveYourHomePhilly Hotline at 215-334-4663 to speak with trained housing counselors for free.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
