free foreclosure intervention workshop

More help for local homeowners with loan problems

Distressed Kansas City area homeowners can attend a free foreclosure intervention workshop later this month.

The March 21 event requires homeowners who seek counseling to schedule an appointment with HomeFree-USA.

The group is a nonprofit organization that offers federally approved counseling on homeownership.

HomeFree-USA is holding interventions in several markets with an aim of reaching 1,000 homeowners in each major city by the end of April.

Counselors will help homeowners assess their situation, prepare a budget, contact their lender and seek a mortgage modification.

Elma Warrick, executive director of HomeFree-USA Kansas City, said the counseling is free but homeowners will be asked to pay $10 for a credit report.

Homeowners also will need to bring a copy of their mortgage agreement, notices of late payments or default and pay stubs to verify employment and income.

To register, call 816-822-7241. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bruce Watkins Cultural Heritage Center at 3700 Blue Parkway.

The local group plans additional local intervention workshops and other events in the future.