Capital City of the Palm Beaches

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In a first of its kind cooperative effort designed to serve as a national model, The City of West Palm Beach is joining with national organizations and banks to create a first of its kind foreclosure assistance center. The center is focused on immediate solutions for homeowners facing loss of their property. Even before the center opened, a woman who had heard about it came to the press conference and asked for assistance. She joined two other families, one just 10 days from foreclosure, who were interviewed by the media about their situations and the help they needed. The options for distressed homeowners include:

• Direct payment to the mortgagee of arrearages up to $10,000.00

• Negotiation with the current mortgagee for repayment agreements on existing loans.

• Purchase of their home should their current lender agree to a “Short Sale” arrangement.

• Purchased homes available thru the city’s affordable housing program.

• Assistance with finding employment for those who have lost their jobs.

• A Credit Recovery Plan to help them repair damaged credit.

In order to receive any benefits from the Center, homeowners must agree to register in our Housing Counseling and Education Program for a minimum of 12 months.

Foreclosures and the economy are issue #1. The City of West Palm Beach and the list of full time sponsors below are taking steps to actually provide direct solutions to homeowners and neighborhoods facing this daunting challenge. The center is free and is a dedicated structure devoted solely to helping on this key issue. West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said “For many the national dream of home ownership has turned into a national nightmare of foreclosure. The city and its private partners are opening this first in the nation center to provide concrete solutions to the most daunting challenge facing America’s families.”

Partners and Supporters
The Urban League, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Education & Community Housing, Inc. (R.E.A.C.H), BankAtlantic, Bank of America, Foreclosure.Com, HSBC Bank, National City Bank, The Housing Partnership, SunTrust Bank, The T.A.C. Companies, Unified Financial Group, United Way of Palm Beach, Consumer Credit Counseling Services.

Common Q & A on the Center

• Question: What are the days and hours of operation going to be?

• Answer: Initially, the Center will be open from 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday

• Question: How are people expected to get in touch with center?

• Answer: Contact the Department of Housing and Community Development at 822-1250.

• Question: Where do people visiting the center park?

• Answer: Meter Parking is available on both Fern and Gardenia. Also, the City Place Parking garage is accessible from Gardenia.

• Question: Are all the services being offered at the FAC free?

• Answer: Yes!

• Question: What should clients bring when they visit the center? How long should they plan to stay?

• Answer: Initially when they call or visit the center they will register and an appointment will be set for them with a counselor.

  Initially they should bring:

  • Any notice or Letter that they have received

  • Their most recent Loan Statement

  • Two months Bank Statements

  • Two current Pay Stubs

  • Their situation will determine length of stay

City of West Palm Beach Housing and Community Development
200 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3366 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

Phone: (561) 822-1250