ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland officials have announced $11.8 million in grant awards that will be distributed over three years to members of the Maryland HOPE Counseling Network.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Attorney General Doug Gansler and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond Skinner made the announcement on Thursday in Riverdale.

The network is a group of 39 nonprofit agencies statewide that provide assistance to people facing foreclosures. It also acts as a resource to negotiate reasonable terms with mortgage servicers and advise citizens on the best actions to take to save their homes.

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