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Program Offers Md. Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The past few years have seen a record number of home foreclosures. While the situation has improved in Maryland, as Mike Schuh reports, state officials went door-to-door to try to help those who still need help staying in their homes.

Mary Washington is volunteering to try to help keep people in their homes. She's looking for people who need help.

"Because of unemployment or underemployment or because they've lost income because of a medical emergency," said Raymond A. Skinner, Maryland Housing Secretary.

Door-to-door, 30 volunteers are in the Ednor Gardens Lakewood area with $40 million to help people stay in their homes.

"What we're trying to do is to let people know about a new program that we have called the Emergency Mortgage Assistance program. This program is designed to help people facing foreclosure," Skinner said.

Maryland used to have the 12th highest foreclosure rate in the country. Now we're 35th. The idea here is for our area, if you make under $65,000 a year and are unemployed or underemployed and behind in your payments, these people can help.

"If they're behind on their mortgage 3 months, 6 months, whatever it is, we can help them catch up," Skinner said. "Going forward, we can help by paying a portion of their mortgage for up to 24 months."

Up to $50,000. It is a loan, but pay on time for five years, and it's forgiven.

"I think it's wonderful," said Karen Morris, of Ednor Gardens.

Morris doesn't have a problem, but help to those who do will mean fewer vacant homes.

"There are some empty places; kinda scary," Morris said.

On Wednesday, no one on the street needed help, but they have enough money left. They have to get rid of the money by September to help approximately 900 Marylanders.

If you or someone you know needs help, click here or call 1-877-462-7555.

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