Union County Foreclosure Taskforce

The Union County Foreclosure Taskforce is set on dealing with the issue of foreclosure within the County of Union. I am proud to inform you that the taskforce is currently taking steps to ensure the procurement of an outreach vehicle that will make programs and information pertaining to foreclosure readily available for the public.

I congratulate the taskforce for laying out a plan that is going to be a great help to individuals who have already experienced financial problems affecting their homes. I would now like to share with you some of the goals and objectives of the sub-committees within the taskforce:

Outreach and Education Subcommittee

Goals/Objectives

1. Identify resources available to people facing mortgage default.

2. Market resources and services to people facing mortgage default.

3. Develop materials and opportunities for dissemination of information to help those impacted by mortgage default.

4. Interface and communicate the appropriate message regarding mortgage default and help make available to the public through various media tools.

Tasks:

1. The Office of Public Information will: provide a list of Union County outreach vehicles, i.e. Freeholder Forum, Freeholder Board mobile meetings; develop press releases; contact NJHMFA and EHIP to obtain copies of their foreclosure fact sheet; develop a Union County Foreclosure Task Force PSA.

2. Subcommittee to email the Office of Public Information local community events presenting opportunities for material dissemination: street fairs, town meetings, etc.

3. Union County Foreclosure Outreach Event. Senator Menendez’s office is to be contacted to inquire about the possibility of partnering of such an event/

4. Plan a Foreclosure Awareness Weekend/or series of events – spring through summer – door knocking, information fairs in parks, etc.

5. Invite Attorney General’s Office (Marisa Slaten) to next full Foreclosure Task Force meeting regarding the state’s mediation program.

6. Host a conference for practitioners, municipal workers, etc. to communicate current information on the mortgage crisis and its impact on local communities.

7. Karen Dinsmore will coordinate with United Way foreclosure resources information to be utilized by the NJ 211 Partnership telephone resource center.

Counseling Support

Goals and Objectives:

1. Advocate for increased funding of foreclosure counseling services.

2. Identify and direct funds for counseling services.

3. Promote/Publicize success stories.

4. Organize and conduct public events such as fairs and seminars with the Outreach Subcommittee.

Tasks:

1. Housing Counseling Assessment form completed.

Resources for Displaced Families/Legal Resources/Tenant Support

Goals/Objectives:

1. Disseminate foreclosure brochures to CEAS.

2. Develop punch list on rights and pitfalls for renants and share with the County.

3. Produce and distribute Foreclosure Resources flyer.

4. Develop and validate all information, then to publish a Resource Directory.

5. Develop information for website.

6. Provide resources and support for public events arranged by Outreach Subcommittee.

Tasks:

1. Foreclosure Resources flyer in process of being updated and translated into languages of Haitian/Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Polish.

2. Kara Davis/Sheriff’s Department is following up on mandatory foreclosure mediation notice that is to be attached to Sheriff’s Department summons and complaints. Contact with Janine Matton/Attorney General’s Office.

Neighborhood Stabilization/Research/Policy & Legislation

Goals/Objectives:

1. Work with Bloustein to update and publish Union County foreclosure data.

2. Develop and identify pending legislation on state and federal levels and develop positions.

3. Identify models for Neighborhood Stabilization.

Tasks:

1. Letter will be sent to Mayors in Union County’s seven highest foreclosure towns requesting their assistance by acting as a direct link to their communities; requesting mayors to distribute information to public; tenant brochures (English and Spanish) will be provided.

2. Municipal officials: free subscription to Union County Clerk’s Property website allowing complete access to property documents for foreclosure assistance to residents.

3. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner: developing mediation process with attorneys specializing in foreclosures to deal with these issues pro bono.

4. Union County Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy: input and outreach within the court system.

If there is anymore information that you want or need, feel free to reach out to my District Office at (908) 561-5757.