BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, along with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, today announced that two Lawrence companies will receive federal funding to provide counseling to families and individuals facing the threat of foreclosure. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America will receive $15,000,000 and Lawrence Community Works will receive $161,798.

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America is a nationwide company headquartered in Massachusetts. Its goal is to build strong, healthy neighborhoods through homeownership.

Lawrence CommunityWorks is a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to the sustained economic and physical revitalization of the City of Lawrence. It has major programs in youth development, family asset building, affordable housing and open space development and community planning.

"At a time when the American housing market continues to decline, Lawrence CommunityWorks and the Neighborhood Assistance Corp of America are bringing some peace of mind to those who need it most,” said Senator Kerry. “The new funds will allow programs like these to provide financial counseling to thousands of Massachusetts homeowners who may be facing foreclosure or trying to buy a home for the first time."

“It’s unconscionable that so many families across Massachusetts are being forced out of their homes because of the foreclosure crisis,” said Senator Kennedy. “It’s essential that we do all we can to help families work out reasonable payment schedules and stay in their homes. This funding is a worthwhile step, but it is far from enough.”

"Lawrence CommunityWorks and the Neighborhood Assistance Corp of America both do so much every day to improve access to affordable housing, better the lives of Lawrence residents, and build a stronger community," said Congresswoman Tsongas. "I am so pleased that they have received this federal funding to provide assistance and counseling to homeowners during this foreclosure crisis. Lawrence CommunityWorks is also partnering with my office for an upcoming Foreclosure Prevention Workshop planned for March 29, which will help homeowners identify the resources that can help them avoid foreclosure."

NeighborWorks America, a program created by Congress in 1978, is providing the funding to more than 700 counseling agencies nationwide. Programs in Massachusetts will receive more than $23 million.

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