Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Blog

Facing Foreclosure with Facts

Paula Lincoln, Acting Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at HUD, speaks at the podium during the "Families Facing Foreclosure With Facts, Not Fear" event.

These days as families struggle with their finances, many will look to the faith-based community for answers because they don’t know where else to turn. For this reason, it‘s imperative that those of us at HUD equip faith based leaders with the information and resources they need to assist families facing foreclosure.

On March 23^rd, HUD’s Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships hosted a foreclosure prevention conference, “Families Facing Foreclosure with Facts, Not Fear.” Participants learned about ways to prevent foreclosure, avoid scams, and how to become a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Mortgage lenders were also on hand to provide participants with a clear understanding of their role and how they can help during the foreclosure process. Faith-based leaders were also provided with a Toolkit on Foreclosure Prevention and Scam Awareness to use as a guide to further help raise awareness in their communities.

If you missed the conference, you can view an archive of the webcast as well as download informational brochures given during the conference.

If you have questions or comments about this post, send an email to partnerships (at) hud.gov.

Paula Lincoln serves as Acting Director at HUD’s Partnership Center.

Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights? Recipes for Passover

Tonight and tomorrow night, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world will gather for Seders to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. For most Jewish families, the Passover meal is full traditions passed down through the generations like the maror, or bitter herbs, which symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt or the matzoh, unleavened bread, which recalls the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt – giving them no time to allow their bread to rise.

While some families hold the secret to the fluffiest matzoh balls in town, others have created new traditions to share with their families and friends.

Here at the White House tonight, President and Mrs. Obama will again host a small Seder, complete with recipes provided by friends and family.  It’s a tradition that started in Pennsylvania in 2008, when after a long day on the campaign trail then-Senator Obama gathered a group of staffers – Jewish and non-Jewish alike – for an impromptu Seder.  Each year since, the same group, along with a few close friends and family, have come together to carry on the tradition at the White House.  Among the family recipes on the menu this year are a traditional chicken soup with matzoh balls, braised beef brisket, potato kugel, carrot soufflé, and matzoh chocolate cake.