General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLive: (as of right now) Hearing for Foreclosure Moratorum bill in MN
http://www.theuptake.org/the-uptake-livestream-channel/after it is live the video will be online for awhile.
Hope the info give helps others fight to keep their homes and helps community help others save their homes
For months The UpTake has been reporting about the struggles of homeowners in north Minneapolis to keep their homes. In some zip codes, more than half of the homes have been foreclosed on. But its not just that area thats struggling. Today DFL lawmakers, frustrated by Republican refusals to schedule a hearing on mortgage foreclosures, hold their own unofficial peoples hearing on a proposal for a 2 year moratorium on home foreclosures. Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Karen Clark say their bill would still require homeowners to continue paying, but only up to 41% of their income.
annm4peace
(6,119 posts)A bill to put a Moratorium on Foreclosures & Evictions: HF 1886 & SF 1521
Foreclosure Moratorium, Neighborhood Stabilization & Tenant Protection Bill
A vote for the bill to put a Moratorium on Foreclosures and stop foreclosure-related evictions is a vote to keep Minnesotans in their homes.
What this bill does:
For Homeowners: The bill puts a two-year moratorium on foreclosures of owner-occupied properties. Homeowners are required to pay either their current payment or 41% of their income during the moratorium, whichever is less.
For Renters:The bill lets renters stay in their homes, paying a fair market rent (ie, their current rent) to the forecloser for 2 years after the bill takes effect.
Some common-sense reasons to pass this bill in 2012:
Save our homes.
Many banks are stonewalling as people try to make adjustments to their mortgages. The programs we hear about that are supposed to help people help only a small fraction; these programs need major reform at the federal level. We need something to make these banks come to the table and truly negotiate in good faith. Until the feds (or the state) can make those changes, we need a moratorium so people and banks have time to get together to work out a deal that benefits everyone. Homeowners pay up to 41% of their income as both parties work to come together for a new arrangement.
Protect innocent renters.
Renters need the option of keeping their existing tenancy in effect. Despite current laws, many renters dont even know their landlords are getting foreclosed on; they have been paying rent, assuming it was going to the mortgage. There are also cases where landlords take the security deposit and disappear! Let renters stay in their homes, paying a fair market rent to the forecloser.
Save our neighborhoods.
When houses (or apartments) go empty, everyone suffers. Housing values go down and there are health and safety issues. Empty houses turn into trashed houses. Lower property values mean less money for local governments. Stable neighborhoods are safer, healthier neighborhoods. Keep people housed, keep properties maintained, and even keep some money going to the lender.
For the state budget situation:
Because of the current economic crisis, home stability is more important than ever. Homeless families cost cities, counties and the state money. This is not just about homeowners losing their homes -- there is a trend of the unemployed taking refuge in the homes of friends and family, for the short or long-term. The bottom line is empty houses mean more money needed for city services, health care, social services
there are countless costs (both financial and social) that arise from foreclosure.
MN Coalition for a Peoples Bailout- http://mnbailout.wordpress.com/
3. Contact the Legislators
about our Hearing!
Here is the full list of legislators. Call or email as many as you can, starting with the ones from your hometown and where you work and live. They want and need to hear from real people - NOT the banks!
Refer to the talking points, if you like. Let them know:
"Foreclosures and evictions are ripping our communities apart.
annm4peace
(6,119 posts)they would not allow the Minority to have a hearing so the Minority had to hold their own "People's Hearing".
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Who runs the GOP,Whitneys,Bell,Hubards and TCF Banks along with the Grunhoffers. Through in Pollad clan for good measure. This is plain class war fare. Thank you Arnie Carlson and Jessie Ventura,tax breaks for the rich and famous.