Foreclosure clinics scheduled for Georgetown

GEORGETOWN - First Federal bank and Family Services, Inc. are reaching out to Georgetown area homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure with four free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics on July 11 at the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments at 1230 Highmarket St. in Georgetown.

According to a news release, the clinics, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., are open to all homeowners at risk of foreclosure, regardless of who their lender may be. Free homeowner services will include one-on-one sessions with counselors from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), South Carolina Legal Services, Mortgage Advocates, Debt and Consumer Credit Counseling, Family Services, Inc. and First Federal.

“One of the worst things that can happen to any family is losing their home,” A. Thomas Hood, president and CEO of First Federal said in the release. “We knew we could help many homeowners avoid foreclosure by partnering with the Homeownership Resources Center at Family Services, Inc. and we want to provide solutions and hope to as many Georgetown area homeowners as possible.”

The clinics are free to any homeowner facing the possibility of foreclosure for any reason.  Homeowners who are already late on one or more mortgage payments or are already in the foreclosure process are also encouraged to attend. Four clinics are scheduled and no appointment is necessary, the release said.

Statewide, unemployment has been a major contributor to foreclosure increases. South Carolina has nearly 253,000 jobless citizens, or 12.1 percent reported in May by the United States Department of Labor.

In Georgetown, major employers International Paper Co. and ArcelorMittal-Georgetown account for a significant number of out of work people.

ArcelorMittal-Georgetown, a steel-manufacturing plant, is scheduled to close indefinitely on July 12, putting 242 workers out of work. ArcelorMittal is the world’s largest steel maker.

International Paper Co. announced a two-week shutdown in late June and early July. The shutdown will impact approximately 30 workers.

Attendees are encouraged to chose the most convenient time and bring the following documentation:

-Most recent statement from your lender

-Legal papers from attorneys related to foreclosure (Lis Pendens if applicable)

-A recent pay stub from all homeowners on the mortgage

-Most recent bank statement, recent utility bill and 2007 tax returns

-Homeowners insurance policy

For more information, please call the Family Services’ Homeownership Resource Center toll free at (888) 320-0350.