Associated Ministries Introduces Free Foreclosure Counseling Services to Pierce County Homeowners

Lakewood, WA.- December 18, 2013 - Associated Ministries, long respected for its work in addressing issues of hunger and homelessness, this month introduced Foreclosure Counseling Services at its branch office at  3819 100th Street S.W, Suite 8C in Lakewood.  The Foreclosure Counseling Service helps Pierce County homeowners avoid foreclosures or to ameliorate the effects they’ve experienced from the foreclosure crisis.  The free service is funded by a grant from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission as part of the WA Attorney General’s 2012 settlement with the nation’s five largest private mortgage services. 

Pierce County historically has led Washington in numbers of foreclosures. Tacoma is currently ranked as the Washington city with the highest number of foreclosures. Associated Ministries’ foreclosure counselors will conduct monthly Foreclosure Prevention Workshops, confer with the homeowner and lender regarding the  current mortgage situation, answer foreclosure prevention and budgeting questions, explain available mortgage retention options, facilitate access to mediation and, when continued homeownership is not practical, help determine the best alternative to foreclosure that will allow the homeowner a graceful exit from their mortgage obligation.

Associated Ministries’ Foreclosure Counselors subscribe to the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Homeownership Education and Counseling, the national standard. The service is listed with the statewide Homeownership Resource Center Hotline, 1-877-894-4663.  The Associated Ministries’ foreclosure counseling team includes:

• Mel Schuckenbrock is the team lead and has 25 years of experience in consumer finance, including 10 years as a mortgage loan officer.
• Dia Nichols, is an experienced mortgage loan officer, serving since 2006.  She has a strong commitment to the community, particularly in helping people fully understand their rights as homeowners.
• Jeremy Gwinner is a dedicated professional with two years of experience in foreclosure counseling.

Homeowners facing foreclosure problems can call 253-383-3056 x155 for answers to questions or to make an appointment.  Office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays, with workshops scheduled evenings and Saturdays.  Visit www.associatedministries.org/foreclosure for more information or to download an intake packet and to sign up for workshops.