Foreclosure Prevention
The Foreclosure Prevention Project is committed to redressing the economic and social inequalities created by predatory lending practices.
In New York City, predatory lending practices threaten thousands of homeowners with foreclosure, stripping them of valuable equity in their homes. Predatory mortgage lending involves an array of abusive practices, including excessive points and fees, high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentation of loan terms, aggressive solicitation of minority neighborhoods, and making loans without regard to the borrower’s ability to repay. Predatory lending has a disproportionate impact on minority and elderly homeowners, who often rely on their homes as their only form of financial security.
In the nearly ten years since its founding, the Foreclosure Prevention Project has assisted thousands of homeowners who have been targeted by predatory lenders. The Project litigates fair housing, consumer protection and other claims on behalf of homeowners in federal and state court; provides advice, advocacy and referrals to homeowners; conducts workshops about predatory lending for low- and moderate-income homeowners, and trains and advises community advocates and attorneys who serve at-risk communities.
The Foreclosure Prevention Project screens referrals from neighborhoods throughout New York City regardless of zip code. If you have an emergency be sure to describe the circumstances in your message. For non-emergency calls it may take several days for our staff to return your call.
To get help from the Foreclosure Prevention Project, please leave a message with the project’s hotline at 718-246-3279
Funding
The Foreclosure Prevention Project is generously funded by:
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Center for New York City Neighborhoods
- Robin Hood Foundation
- The Institute For Foreclosure Legal Assistance
- FJC: A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds
- Division of Housing and Community Renewal
- New York State Banking Department
- Leona and Harry B. Helmsley Foundation Inc.
Unit Staff
- Meghan Faux - Project Director
- Jennifer Sinton - Deputy Director
- Erica Jo Gilles - Deputy Director for Advocacy and Outreach
- Jennifer Light - Senior Staff Attorney
- Rachel Geballe - Staff Attorney
- Jessica Attie - Litigation Specialist
- TaeRa Franklin - Staff Attorney
- Sara Manaugh - Staff Attorney
- Rebekah Cook-Mack - Staff Attorney
- Cyrus Dugger - Staff Attorney
- Laurie Izutsu-Keener - Staff Attorney
- Nandini Chandrasekaran - Paralegal
- Claudia Wald - Paralegal
- Emily Storm - Paralegal
- Antonette Escalera - Secretary
Frivolous Foreclosure Lawsuit Leads Brooklyn Judge to Order Sanctions Against Bank
A Brooklyn man being sued for foreclosure was led to a legal victory with the help of South Brooklyn Legal Services attorney Sara Manaugh. Not only did a judge find the suit frivolous, but they ordered $10,000 in sanctions against the bank for foreclosing on a property they didn’t even own…
...continue reading "Frivolous Foreclosure Lawsuit Leads Brooklyn Judge to Order Sanctions Against Bank" >
* (Foreclosure Prevention) 24 June 10 More Foreclosure Prevention spotlights >
Equal Justice Works Fellow at SBLS Helps Brooklyn Couple Stay in Home of 30 Years
Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow, Laurie Izutsu-Keener, who has worked in the South Brooklyn Legal Services Foreclosure Prevention Project since 2009, recently helped to represent an elderly couple who a bank was trying to push out of their home of 30 years. In 2007, the couple was solicited by a mortgage broker to refinance with an ARM loan that significantly increased their mortgage payments. Though the couple stressed to their broker that the new mortgage payment was too high, the broker assured them they could refinance into a more affordable rate in six months…
...continue reading "Equal Justice Works Fellow at SBLS Helps Brooklyn Couple Stay in Home of 30 Years" >
* (Foreclosure Prevention) 9 June 10 More Foreclosure Prevention spotlights >
