Help Available to Those Facing Mortgage Difficulties

While the economy in West Texas continues to be stronger than in many other parts of the country, I wanted to be sure any residents who are having difficulty with their mortgages were aware of assistance that is available.

Hope Now is a program created by an alliance of large banks, counselors, mortgage services, and other critical industry supporting organizations with the sole purpose of helping keep you in your home.  If you are having difficulty making mortgage payments or have fallen behind on payments, Hope Now may be able to assist you.  Both the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Treasury Department supported the creation of Hope Now to help encourage lenders to work with borrowers on options that help keep people in their homes rather than allow borrowers to fall into foreclosures.

If you are having difficulty making your mortgage payments or have fallen behind on your payments, you can call the Hope Now hotline at 888-995-Hope to speak with a mortgage counselor.

In addition, the Treasury Department recently announced a program to assist homeowners. Project Life Line is geared to help Americans stay in their homes by freezing the foreclosure process for 30 days while the mortgage is renegotiated or refinanced. All major banks have agreed to abide by the Treasury Department’s plan to lessen the impact of these mortgages on the open market. To learn more, please visit, http://www.ustreas.gov/.

Honoring Our First Responders

Today, I was in Big Spring at an event to honor and thank our brave first responders who, amidst the chaos of the refinery explosion in February, came to the scene, put out the fires and helped those in need.  It was an honor to meet with these individuals and express the appreciation of a grateful community for their dedicated work, and rapid professional response.

These dedicated men and women embody the best there is in a community; to come together in a time of crisis and do what needs to be done to help their fellow citizens. They risk their lives to help others, and there is nothing more honorable than that. Looking back on that fateful day in February, I can only thank the Good Lord that there was not a single fatality and truly believe that was a miracle.

National Public Health Awareness Week

The week of April 7 – April 13 is National Public Health Awareness Week. During this week, we should take time to reflect on our health and also the health of our friends and loved ones. Now that spring has arrived, we should look to new beginnings and go the doctor for our annual physical, mammogram or colonoscopy. We should also make an effort to remind our friends to do the same. There is no better time than right now to get started on a new lease on life.

Now is a great time to start exercising and eating healthy – it can add years to your life and give you more energy and confidence. By taking these steps, you can help reinvigorate yourself and improve your overall health.

As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website at www.randy.house.gov or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.

--Randy