Maryland May Help Those Facing Foreclosure
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Marylanders in danger of losing their homes may get help if they act quickly.
Political reporter Pat Warren explains the state is prepared to come to the rescue of residents facing foreclosure.
Debra Goldring got a reassuring hug after a long, complicated battle to save her home from foreclosure.
"Many a night did I cry," Goldring said. "When I talk about it, I get emotional with it. I'm sorry."
After years of comfortably living together, her husband suffered a long illness that led to his death and left a pile of medical bills. Then she lost her job.
"I never had to use my paycheck in the home. I mean, that's how good things were for us and then to go from that to where things ended up, it was just really hard for me," she said.
"It's tough to make the mortgage when you don't have the paycheck. It's tough to make the mortgage when you have competing demands on that checkbook, such as illness or injury," said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown.
Cut to the happy ending: an emergency mortgage assistance loan.
"And she is now available to stay in the place she has called home for 25 years," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Cummings is urging Marylanders in trouble to follow Goldring's example and take steps to avoid foreclosure.
"The people that are the most difficult to help are the people that waited too long. Usually, if they come in early like Ms. Goldring did, they can get the help that they need," Cummings said.
Goldring hopes her story encourages others.
"I didn't think there was going to be any out there for me, but there really was, so here I am," she said.
If additional incentive is needed, homeowners should know that the emergency mortgage assistance money runs out Sept. 1.
For more information on the loan program and foreclosure assistance workshops, click here.
