“Housing Counselors” received more than $400,000,000.00 in federal funds to help against the mortgage crisis. Those counselors help troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure and lower their monthly payments.

Borrowers facing foreclosure are 62% more likely to avoid the disaster if they receive counseling. Borrowers who  received some sort of  loan modifications were able to reduce their monthly payments approximately $400 lower than those who did not receive counseling.

So far more than three quarters of a millon homeowners have received counseling  which is administered by NeighborWorks America.  The counselors reviewed borrowers’ income and expenses to determine whether they could  afford to remain in their homes. The counselors also work with loan servicers to help borrowers apply for loan modification programs.