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Visit Tales from the Trenches, the national blog for Facing the Mortgage Crisis.
Facing the Mortgage Crisis is part of CPB’s Public Service Media Economic Response Initiative.In-Depth Reports and Programs
Below are in-depth reports and programs, local and national, that have aired on WCPN and WVIZ about the mortgage crisis.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Go Invest Wisely: A Business Proposal That Turned Out to Be Anything But Wise
This week, housing experts headed to the Federal Reserve in Washington DC to talk about foreclosures and what happens to the vacant houses left behind. One of the issues discussed was what to do with properties bought by investors from out-of-state and sometimes even another country. This is an issue for cities and towns across Northeast Ohio. Sometimes property owners rehab and successfully rent out or sell the houses. ideastream's Mhari Saito and Eric Wellman though talked about one investment plan that went very badly leaving behind hundreds of abandoned houses in its wake.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
No Let-up in Ohio Foreclosures
Ohio's foreclosure crisis is continuing and there are no signs that it will be letting up anytime soon. That's the consensus of some Ohio officials and advocates at a statewide summit meeting on foreclosures, held in Columbus, Tuesday. One effort the Cleveland Federal Reserve is making to help people stay out of trouble is a series of free educational seminars for consumers about mortgages and the lending process. The sessions which Thursday will be held evenings and weekends at at Case Western University's business school. First time buyers are especially encouraged to attend. For more information Phone 216 368 5537 More on the foreclosure story from Statehouse Correspondent Bill Cohen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Art of Foreclosure
On this episode of Applause we step OUTSIDE the studio, and INSIDE a house which has stood in the shadow of foreclosure.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
President Back In Ohio To Reassure Voters
To hear President Barack Obama tell it, the nation's economy is on the upswing. And that's the message he brought to OHIO Wednesday. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports on the president's visit to a neighborhood backyard in Columbus
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Ohio Republicans Criticize Obama Stimulus
As anyone would expect, Republicans in Ohio have a different perspective on the federal stimulus package that President Obama's supporters were praising. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Neighbors of Blighted Houses Have Door Opened To Restitution
At this point in the housing collapse, it's likely that many people have a foreclosed house on their street — an eyesore that just won't sell or, even worse, that no one keeps up anymore. In Cleveland, one judge is testing out a somewhat radical judicial tactic that could help some of those homeowners. ideastream®'s Mhari Saito filed this report for NPR.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Third Federal Faces Stepped-Up Regulation
The President of Third Federal Savings and Loan tried to quell concerns over increased scrutiny by federal regulators. Ideastream’s Bill Rice reports.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
New Disincentive for Negligent Landowners
What if the house next to yours was vacant, owned by some faceless out-of-town landlord, and going to pot? What recourse would you have if your property lost value as a result? On Thursday's Sound of Ideas, we'll talk about Cleveland Judge Ray Pianka's plan to allow neighbors to seek restitution for damages. Is the judge innovative or is he moving into activist territory? And what other weapons are available, here and elsewhere, to keep neighborhoods from turning into slums? Join us for the discussion at 9:00 this morning on 90.3.
Friday, July 30, 2010
New Foreclosure Report Details Crisis and Response
This report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland tracks the foreclosure crisis from its outset and examines the steps communities have taken to lessen its impact. Download the report.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Mortgage Refinancing Conundrums
Mortgage rates are at a fifty year low -- below 4.6 percent. That may sound like cheap money to many people, but if it does, why aren't more of them refinancing their homes? As it turns out, many can't or won't for a host of reasons. Wednesday morning at 9, we take a deeper look at the quirks in the current mortgage market, which would appear to be a buyers' markets (without the buyers). Plus, everything that should be considered when refinancing a home.
Take Action
United Way 211
United Way's 211/First Call For Help is a free and confidential information service ready to direct you to the health and human services you need in Cuyahoga, Geauga and Medina Counties.
Just dial 2-1-1. Professional staff are available to help you 24 hours a day, every day.
Save the Dream
The American dream of home ownership is disappearing during these times of crisis. In Ohio, rising unemployment, loss of business, and a bleak economic outlook also threaten that dream.
Help is available. Save the Dream provides information and highlights programs that Ohioians can use to help save the dream of owning a home.
Upcoming Events
ESOP Partners with Area Suburbs to Help Homeowners
Two additional suburbs will hold local intake sessions, in partnership with ESOP (Empowering & Strengthening Ohio’s People), to provide FREE foreclosure prevention counseling to area homeowners. This initiative builds on ESOP’s track record of making its highly successful foreclosure counseling practices more readily available in Cuyahoga County suburbs. ESOP already provides intakes in South Euclid and Lakewood.
Starting Feb. 4, 2010, trained counselors from ESOP will also set up shop once a week in Bedford Heights and Garfield Heights. Please see below for more detailed information on the time and location of these new intake sessions. Homeowners do not have to be city residents but MUST call or email ESOP to set up an appointment.
Bedford Heights, Every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Jimmy Dimora Community Center, 5615 Perkins Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146
Garfield Heights, Every Thursday at 1 p.m.
Word of Righteousness Family Life Center, 13455 Dressler Avenue, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125
To make an appointment or for more information, please call ESOP at 216-361-0718 or email .
ABOUT ESOP:
ESOP is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency. ESOP’s success stems from partnerships with various lenders and servicers, allowing for easy negotiation of loan modifications. ESOP has been nationally and internationally recognized for its campaigns against predatory lenders and for its success obtaining mortgage resolutions that keep families in their homes.
Funding
Funding for the coverage of economy and jobs topics comes from The Cleveland Foundation; The George Gund Foundation; The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation; The Nord Family Foundation; The Bruening Foundation; The Community Foundation for Lorain County; and The Charter One Foundation.
