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Congressman Sherman Hosts Town Hall Meeting
Sherman Oaks, CA – On Sunday, August 26th, Congressman Brad Sherman (D – Sherman Oaks) hosted a Town Hall meeting at Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa, fielding questions from some of the hundreds of constituents who attended.
Congressman Sherman has held over 160 Town Hall meetings during his time in Congress in a variety of formats, including visiting virtually every public and private high school and middle school in the San Fernando Valley. Sherman’s staff has also hosted over 100 information booths at various community fairs, senior centers, veterans’ organizations, cultural and religious festivals, and farmers markets to share information about his constituent services program.
On Sunday, Congressman Sherman provided a brief update about his work in Congress before responding to questions about major federal issues including, taxes, the national debt, education, Social Security and Medicare as well as other issues facing Congress. Sherman highlighted his continued work to resolve the nation’s debt crisis, restore faith in the economy and help put Americans back to work. Sherman also set up a constituent service booth at the meeting to help dozens of constituents resolve problems they were having with federal agencies. Additionally, a group of students from the Bryce Canyon Naval Sea Cadet Corp gave the presentation of colors before the Town Hall, after which Congressman Sherman gave them a flag flown over the US Capitol for their efforts.
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Mortgage Modification for those Facing Hardship
Congressman Sherman helped create the HAMP program to help those having significant difficultly making their mortgage payments. The goal is to reduce foreclosures, which are a tragedy for the families involved, and adversely affect the neighborhood. Qualifying homeowners often have their payments reduced to 31 percent of their monthly pre-tax income.
For help finding out if you’re eligible for a lower payment under these new policies, you can contact our Valley office at (818) 501-9200.
You can find out if your mortgage is owned by Fannie or Freddie by going online to:
http://www.FannieMae.com/loanlookup/ or https://ww3.FreddieMac.com/corporate/, or calling 1-800-7FANNIE or 1-800-FREDDIE.
For more information you can also visit: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/
Refinancing at Lower Rates for Those with Low Equity (or No Equity)
Mortgage rates are at historic lows and many homeowners want to refinance to reduce their monthly payments by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But many homeowners do not have the 20 percent equity required to refinance, and some owe more than the current value of their home.
Congressman Sherman cosponsored the HOME Act which allows those with mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance – even if they owe more than their home is currently worth. Even if you write your check to a major bank, your mortgage is probably owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
This provision will help create jobs in the San Fernando Valley. Homeowners who save hundreds of dollars each month are good customers for local Valley businesses. Furthermore, it does not expose the federal government to additional risk because these mortgages are already guaranteed or owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.