Governor Rendell Reminds Families of Resources to Help Avoid Foreclosures, Prov...( Urges Prompt Action on Relief and Rec...),Health

Urges Prompt Action on Relief and Recovery Budget Proposal

PHILADELPHIA, April 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a year in which foreclosures in Pennsylvania increased by nearly 130 percent and a month when more families than ever turned to the state for help staying in their home, Governor Edward G. Rendell today reminded homeowners that help is available and that his budget proposal will provide citizens with relief and spark economic recovery.

The Governor visited Northwest Counseling Service in Philadelphia where he met with families who have benefited from the state's Home Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program and others who are looking for help.

Last month, the Governor redirected $5 million in additional funding to HEMAP so the program could assist approximately 550 additional families.

"Many Pennsylvania families have been profoundly impacted by the national recession," said Governor Rendell. "In the last year, we have lost over 115,000 jobs, including 41,000 jobs in February - marking the largest job loss in a single month in 13 years. That means more citizens lost their healthcare and more families made hard decisions about which necessities to cut out of their budgets.

"Recent reports have given me a sense of optimism that a recovery may be underway, but we must act now to protect our families and provide them with relief to help advance the state's economic recovery. The budget I've proposed does that, however those struggling to cope cannot wait for the General Assembly to act on it. That's why I've taken a series of executive actions to provide immediate relief, including making more resources available to help families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes."

There were nearly 43,000 foreclosure filings in Pennsylvania in 2008--a 127 percent increase over 2007. In February alone, there were 3,682 foreclosure filings in Pennsylvania, incl
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