Thousands seeking help with mortgages jam Palm Beach County Convention Center

Palm Beach Post ^ | 27 Aug 10 | Kimberly Miller

[SkyPilot]

WEST PALM BEACH — The Palm Beach County Convention Center filled again today with tales of mortgage woe.

Before dawn, with a plump moon overhead, a line of desperate homeowners trailed around the outside of the building. They slept in beach chairs or on blankets on the ground, refugees from a bad economy, bad loans, or bad decisions.

They stayed even as the rain poured down on them.

Because for most of the people in the queue, the Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America is the end of the line. The last chance to save their home.

The non-profit group will be at the convention center through Tuesday helping people get lower monthly payments through loan modifications. At least 1,000 people arrived before the doors opened.

“If the banks won’t come to you, you go to them,” said Detroit resident Brian Kelley, 44, as he blinked rainwater from his eyes.

Kelley, a Ford Motor Company employee, whose salary has been cut nearly in half, flew into Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, got a ride to the Tri-rail station, and took the train into West Palm Beach.

He had a cooler with sandwiches and water, anticipating a long day.

“Desperate times take desperate measures,” Kelley said.

________________

Kercius, who recently lost his job as a nursing assistant, got a fixed 2 percent interest rate and a principal reduction that cut his monthly payment from $1,333 to $716.

“I am overwhelmed and overjoyed,” he said.

[SkyPilot]

Kercius, who recently lost his job as a nursing assistant, got a fixed 2 percent interest rate and a principal reduction that cut his monthly payment from $1,333 to $716.

“I am overwhelmed and overjoyed,” he said.

Yeah. I would be too.

Where can I get that deal? Oh yeah - there are no handouts like that for people like me who pay so others can get their mortgage cut in half.

[SkyPilot]

To get NACA assistance: • You cannot own another property • You must live in your property The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America asks that you agree to participate in at least five activities a year in support of the group's mission. NACA is waiving its membership fee and cost to pull credit reports for people seeking a mortgage modification. Items needed: • 30 days of consecutive paycheck stubs (If self-employed, you also need six months of bank statements and a year-to-date profit and loss statement) • Signed hardship letter • Most recent mortgage statement • Property tax information • Homeowners insurance bill For more information, visit NACA online .

[SkyPilot]

This comment from the article speaks for me too:

"This organization is nothing but a bunch of "community organizers" who have made a living out of intimidating bankers by going to their houses with megaphones. The founder, Bruce Marks of Boston, has called himself a "bank terrorist". All you poor and ignorant debtors are being used by an organization with a larger agenda that does not include you."

These people get to stay in 1/4 Million Dollar homes on your dime.

Enjoy ObamaLand.

[SkyPilot]

This comment from the article speaks for me too:

"This organization is nothing but a bunch of "community organizers" who have made a living out of intimidating bankers by going to their houses with megaphones. The founder, Bruce Marks of Boston, has called himself a "bank terrorist". All you poor and ignorant debtors are being used by an organization with a larger agenda that does not include you."

These people get to stay in 1/4 Million Dollar homes on your dime.

Enjoy ObamaLand.

[Psycho_Bunny]

"NACA also gets a $500 payment for every permanent modification that results in three successful mortgage payments, Marks said."

I guess the NACA is making their money too.....and much quicker than the banks.

[Frantzie]

“..participate in at least five activities a year in support of the group’s mission..”

I bet this includes get out the vote and vote rigging.

BS. 2% mortgages - who provides those? I am at 4.75% and almost paid off but this is a lot of sh*t. Liberal facism.

[buffyt]

This is just horrible! People who WORK and people who are retired and paying taxes are PAYING FOR THIS! This is just not fair at all! If you can’t afford your house you should move out, sell, move to a smaller place, rent! That is what we always did. I get to pay for the mortgage fix for all these looters! We bough our first house in 1975 and we never missed a payment. Before that, we rented since 1973 and never missed a payment. You pay your bills first, if there is money left over, you buy groceries.

[RachelFaith]

It is ONLY going to get worse.

[Uncle Miltie]

If you look at the pics, it is actually an ethnically diverse crowd, unlike the one for rental housing vouchers, which was, (ahem) rather uniform.

[Terry Mross]

NACA offers a program for first time buyer’s, too. If they’re getting the banks to modify a mortgage why do they need government money?

[SkyPilot]

There are blacks, whites, and Hispanics who take Government housing checks (these days they are EBT - Electronic Benefit Transfers).

Much easier on the ego of those taking the check! No nasty "judgment!" at the corner Supermarket. Just in my Bank Account.