Mortgage Help Center Opens in Sacramento

Fannie Mae Center Provides Free Education and Counseling to Local Homeowners Facing Hardship

WASHINGTON, DC — Fannie Mae today announced the opening of the Sacramento Mortgage Help Center to provide free education and counseling services to struggling Northern California homeowners. The Sacramento Center is the tenth Mortgage Help Center to open across the country, and is part of Fannie Mae's ongoing effort to ensure that homeowners facing foreclosure understand their options, have access to assistance and receive timely resolutions. The Center was developed in partnership with NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region, local community and elected officials, and area mortgage servicers.

The Center will offer one-on-one consultations in-person or over the phone with experienced housing counselors to review mortgage loans and financing options, explain the range of options available, and help borrowers apply for loan workouts and other alternatives to foreclosure. Services are offered in both English and Spanish, and will be available to residents in the entire Sacramento region, including Stockton, Modesto, Merced and the Bay Area.

"The housing crisis has hit this region hard, and we are here to help," said Jeff Hayward, Senior Vice President, National Servicing Organization, Fannie Mae. "Across the country, over 60% of the people who have worked with our Mortgage Help Centers have been able to stay in their homes. We're looking forward to working with homeowners in the Sacramento area to find solutions to their mortgage problems."

"NeighborWorks® Home Ownership Center Sacramento Region is proud to be entering into this innovative partnership with Fannie Mae, bringing added resources to the homeowners in Northern California that are facing mortgage issues and are at risk of foreclosure," said Pam Canada, CEO, Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region. "NeighborWorks Sacramento has led the way for housing counseling and foreclosure mitigation help in this region, assisting thousands of people to an individual solution. The Mortgage Help Center brings the opportunity for more homeowners to receive critical services to review and potentially resolve their mortgage distress."

"Sacramento is pleased to welcome the Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center and proud of the efforts of NeighborWorks Sacramento to bring this resource to our city," said Mayor Kevin Johnson. "The help center will offer an efficient opportunity for Sacramento homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgages a place to come, tell their story, and work with the investor for the best solution. NeighborWorks Sacramento is an excellent resource for increasing successful homeownership in our region and a valued partner in our community."

In addition to providing counseling and access to mortgage education and financial literacy resources, the Mortgage Help Center staff will help homeowners coordinate with their mortgage servicers and ensure an efficient response time. The Center will also help to combat mortgage fraud and abuse in the Sacramento region.

The free services offered by the Mortgage Help Center are available for families who have a mortgage owned by Fannie Mae. Homeowners can determine if Fannie Mae owns their loan by visiting www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup or by contacting Fannie Mae at 1-800-7FANNIE. The Mortgage Help Center is available by appointment only and homeowners wishing to schedule a visit or a phone appointment should call the toll-free number (866) 442-9374.

Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America's secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. Our job is to help those who house America.