Foreclosure Issues Dominate Pattern for Progress Housing Summit

The foreclosure issues dominated the third annual Hudson Valley summit conference of Pattern for Progress. New York City was given kudos for correct handling by public and non-profit private bodies of the city sprawl but the foreclosure problem continued to remain unsolved. This was the view of two pundits at the summit.

The summit was attended by more than 100 affected residents, public officials, representatives of non-profit bodies and many others. They gathered at the Marist College, Poughkeepsie to listen to what the experts in housing had to comment about the manner in which the Hudson Valley compares with other regions tackling the problem of urban sprawl.

Dr. Robert Burchell of Rutgers University Center for Urban Policy Research said this sprawl is “the greatest democracy” because it is instrumental in making more people own houses. However he added the need for a balance. He explained, “The Hudson Valley goes back and forth between not having enough development and being rushed for development, and so, they are constantly in that flip-flop position. It’s not easy to get standard, steady policy when you’re in that position.”

The most talked about topic at the conference was the flood of foreclosures.

Deborah VanAmerongen, the Commissioner of the state division of Housing and Community Renewal said that her department has many means – educational as well as informational to help the families requiring assistance. One should not shy away from contacting them in any matter regarding this problem. She said, “You don’t even have to be in a particular stage in the foreclosure process.  If you’re just concerned about your ability to make your mortgage payments, start talking to a counselor.  The earlier you get in, the better off you are going to be.”

The commissioner insisted that if any house owner felt they needed assistance during or preceding the foreclosure process, they should visit the state website www.nysdhcr.gov. Even those wanting to know about mortgages and financial matter should visit it. The site lists in detail all the state and local agents and entities dealing with the foreclosure problem.

Initially foreclosures were slow in its progress in New York but then it has picked up speed and taken on the dimensions of a major problem. Some of the worst affected regions are Queens and Brooklyn. These are poor neighbourhoods inhabited by the minorities. This has raised many questions about peddling of toxic loans to the vulnerable section of society.

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