Responding to an increase in the number of calls from veterans having problems with their mortgages, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has announced an initiative designed to help military families prevent foreclosure through the Attorney General’s HomeCorps program. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services, the AG’s HomeCorps program will work with Veterans Service Officers (VSO) throughout the Commonwealth to assist veterans and service members in danger of foreclosure. The AG has established a HomeCorps loan modification specialist to serve as a direct line of referral from the VSOs and to work directly with veterans looking to sustain their mortgages.
“Memorial Day is a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that our military men and women made to preserve our freedom,” AG Coakley said. “We are pleased to expand our existing Veterans’ Services program to incorporate an initiative to help military families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.”
HomeCorps currently has more than 120 active cases involving veterans or service members seeking help with home mortgages, either to obtain loan modifications from loan servicers and banks or with foreclosure avoidance strategies. HomeCorps recommends that anyone in trouble with their mortgage seek help as soon as possible, and that former or current military service members may be able to benefit from additional federal resources that are specifically designed to help them avoid foreclosure.
Additionally, last October the AG’s Office created a task force to ensure coordination amongst its wide-ranging veterans support effort from the consumer hotline to health care and civil rights. Since then, the AG’s Office has updated its Veterans’ Resource Guide, a comprehensive resource that highlights the many special protections and benefits that are available to veterans. The AG’s guide offers comprehensive information regarding healthcare, education, employment and housing benefits.
