Elder Law of Michigan recently received a letter from Mrs. Sylvia Scales, a client who received assistance with her Step Forward Application from the Housing Rights Center of Michigan (HRCMI), a program of ELM. With the funds provided by Step Forward, Mrs. Scales was able to catch up on her taxes, preventing foreclosure on her home. Mrs. Scales asked that we share what she had to say … Continue reading Client Letter – HRCMI Made My Dream Come True
Via the National Consumer Law Center, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s newly revised policy provides spouses of reverse mortgage borrowers with the most workable option to date to prevent surviving spouses’ evictions and homes from foreclosures. HUD’s Mortgagee Letter 2015-15 affirms that reverse mortgage lenders now have the option to assign a loan to HUD if there is a surviving spouse living … Continue reading Reverse Mortgage Update: HUD Throws a Lifeline to Surviving Non-Borrowing Spouses
by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, and HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor To protect client confidentiality, all names have been changed in this post. Lifelong Detroit residents Ruby and Daniel, both turning 78 this summer, have been married for over 40 years. They purchased their home in 1977, after some medical issues forced Daniel to stop working for General Motors. He had a brain … Continue reading A Step Forward Michigan Success Story: Ruby and Daniel
by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, & HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor Homeowners age 62 and older qualify for a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a loan that converts existing home equity into tax-free cash. Unlike a regular or ‘forward’ mortgage, however, there are no monthly payments required. In fact, depending on the type of payment plan selected, a reverse mortgage may actually … Continue reading Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Pros and Cons
by Jessica Sanchez, J.D., Housing Services Manager, Housing Rights Center of Michigan The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case that could have a major and lasting impact on how racial disparities in housing are addressed. In Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs vs. The Inclusive Communities Project, the Inclusive Communities Project, a group that advocates for more integration in Texas, argued that the state … Continue reading Supreme Court to Decide Landmark Housing Discrimination Case
by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, & HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor To protect client confidentiality, all names have been changed in this post. Anne is a 79-year-old Southfield resident, retired registered nurse and homemaker. She is also the full-time caregiver for her mentally challenged adult children, and the legal guardian of her three-year-old grandson. After she retired, she was struggling to pay her … Continue reading A Step Forward Michigan Success Story: Anne
by Michael Wendel, Administrative Specialist Low-income Detroit residents now have a new option to help with home repairs. A 0% Interest Home Repair Loan is a new option to assist homeowners with needed repairs. You must own your own home and have lived in it for the past 6 months. To qualify, you must have a credit score of at least 560. You can attain your credit … Continue reading Detroit 0% Interest Home Repair Loan
My name is Katharine Burns and I am an AmeriCorps State member serving at Elder Law in the 2013-2014 program year as the Foreclosure Prevention Manager. In addition, I am also part of the Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps (MFPC), which is comprised of 20 AmeriCorps members serving in 16 different sites around the state. Our mission is to prevent foreclosure through activities such as intake … Continue reading Meet our New AmeriCorps Member, Katharine Burns
