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Seattle University Teams Up With City Of Tacoma To Help Prevent Foreclosures

Ted S. Warren
/
AP
Notice of an house auction is shown Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Tacoma, Wash.

The housing market may be going up in Puget Sound, but foreclosures are still a reality for many, especially in Pierce County. Now there’s a new effort in Tacoma to reach homeowners — before it’s too late.

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Nearly 70 homes were scheduled for foreclosure in Tacoma alone last month. But there might be hope.

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Seattle University, working with the city of Tacoma will go door-to-door in hard hit areas. Canvassers will pass out packets with information on free housing counselors and legal aid.

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Attorney Angeline Thomas with Seattle University says even if you can’t save your home, there’s help to get you back on your feet.

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“So that could be some credit repair counseling, it could be helping out with your budget, it could be some other types of services that, again, are going to set you up for success down the line so that maybe you could be in a position to own another home in three to five years.”

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Thomas says face-to-face interactions also help reach renters. She says tenants also have rights, and sometimes aren’t even aware their landlord is in foreclosure.

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