Mortgage help session set for Philly, Convention Center

Homeowners in the region struggling with their mortgages will have a unique opportunity Tuesday in Philadelphia.

The federal Making Home Affordable program is coming to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, offering help to those having trouble making their mortgage payments.

Homeowners will be able to speak directly with those in control of their mortgages rather than emailing or phoning, said Carol Lambert of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which administers the program.

“We’ll have mortgage companies there — all the big ones — so homeowners can sit across the table from the companies they make their mortgage payments to,” she said. “We’ll also have HUD-approved counseling experts on site to provide information, provide guidance, to help them complete their documentation and forms.”

Do your homework before attending, Lambert advised.

“Homeowners should definitely take a look at their mortgage documents,” she said. “Bring out their financial information, pay stubs, that sort of thing, and have robust conversation with their mortgage company to see what kind of help we can provide.”

In some cases, Lambert said, homeowners could walk out the door with a new, more affordable mortgage.

 

The program will run from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia.