Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
HEMAP Help Center
(Separate Website)
The HEMAP Help Center is a website designed to help you complete your application to the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), a program that provides financial assistance to qualified Pennsylvania homeowners who are in danger of losing their houses through foreclosure. It offers free step-by-step guidance through the entire HEMAP application, including expert feedback on your Circumstances Description - the most important part of your HEMAP application.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Preventing Foreclosure Information on preventing the foreclosure of your house
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Introducing the HEMAP Help Center
(Separate Website)
Description of the the HEMAP Help Center at www.hemap.org developed by Regional Housing Legal Services to assist Pennsylvanians who are in danger of losing their homes through no fault of their own.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Mortgage Foreclosure: Your Legal Rights
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Mortgage Foreclosure.
By: Community Legal Services
Mortgage Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights in a mortgage foreclosure.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Preventing Mortgage Foreclosure
Many homeowners face difficulties paying their mortgage. Job loss, change in income, and adjustments to interest rates can lead to falling behind on payments. This brochure will give you some tips about what to do when you fall behind on your mortgage payments, what resources are available, and who can help you.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure (Audio-MP3)
(Separate Website)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 3/13/08 - Information on avoiding mortgage foreclosure in Pennsylvania, alternative approaches, Applications to HEMAP (Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program) and details on the Act 91 Notice. Host - Vince Brocki, NWLS Resource Developer; Guests Angela Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Mortgage Foreclosure Process (Audio-MP3)
(Separate Website)
1/10/2008 - An overview of issues surrounding mortgage foreclosure in Pennsylvania, avoiding adjustable rate mortgages and unscrupulous lending practices, what is the legal process, applying for Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program(HEMAP), what happens if HEMAP is denied, and information on possibly bankruptcy remedies, how to get legal help. Host - Robert A. Oakley, Esq., NWLS Executive Director; Guest - Angela Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Predatory Lending Practices, Part 1 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
2/14/2008- Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices in Pennsylvania, with Dave Pesch, Housing Counseling Programs Manager at St. Martin's Center in Erie, PA and Maggie Schuetz, Staff Attorney with Community Justice Project, Pittsburgh, PA.
Part I - What is predatory lending, what help is available, details on over-appraisals, property flipping, avoiding variable rate, and details on the newly structured Western PA Mortgage Fraud Task Force.
Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Predatory Lending Practices, Part 2 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
2/14/2008- Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices in Pennsylvania, with Dave Pesch, Housing Counseling Programs Manager at St. Martin's Center in Erie, PA and Maggie Schuetz, Staff Attorney with Community Justice Project, Pittsburgh, PA.
Part 2 - Identifying poor lending practices, Tips on what to avoid.
Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Predatory Lending Practices, Part 3 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
2/14/2008- Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices in Pennsylvania, with Dave Pesch, Housing Counseling Programs Manager at St. Martin's Center in Erie, PA and Maggie Schuetz, Staff Attorney with Community Justice Project, Pittsburgh, PA.
Part 3 - How to protect yourself from predatory lending, recommended proactive steps, housing counseling is available, where to get help.
Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
(Separate Website)
Information on the Homeowners? Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Frequently Asked Questions about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program
(Separate Website)
Questions and answers about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to PHFA for processing.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
REfinance to an Affordable Loan (REAL) Program
(Separate Website)
Is your adjustable rate or interest-only mortgage about to explode? Are you at risk of losing your home unless you can refinance to more affordable terms? If so, the REAL program may be your answer!
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Initiative
(Separate Website)
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has established this program to help interested homeowners to save their homes. Free counseling sessions are offered involving a reasonable analysis of the borrower's financial situation, an evaluation of the current value of the property involved, and/or counseling regarding the possible purchase of the mortgage in question.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This website is designed to educate individuals on the many ways HUD can assist them in trying to hold on to their homes.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
How to Avoid Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains how property owners can avoid losing their homes because of delinquent payments.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. A list of agencies in Pennsylvania is provided here.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HOPE for Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers
(Separate Website)
Information on a new program, created by Congress, that is intended to help borrowers at risk of default and foreclosure refinance into more affordable loans.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Basic Consumer Facts about the HOPE for Homeowners Program
(Separate Website)
Basic fact about this new program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Tips from HUD on how to avoid foreclosure of your home.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
You Can Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home
(Separate Website)
Losing a home can be financially and personally devastating. Here's information to help you keep your home. Relief may be available.
By: Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here?s What to Do
(Separate Website)
Inforamtion from the Federal Trade Commission about how to help save your home, and how to recognize and avoid foreclosure scams.
By: Federal Trade Commission
How to Manage Your Mortgage If Your Lender Closes or Files for Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet for consumers describing what to do if their mortgage company or mortgage servicing company closes or files for bankruptcy.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Don't Be A Victim Of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders
(Separate Website)
Informational brochure on loan fraud and the danger of predatory lendors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Information from HUD on predatory lending and what you can do to protect yourself.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Your Rights and the Responsibilities of the Mortgage Servicer
(Separate Website)
Information for home buyers concerning your rights and the responsibility of your loan servicer.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Questions and Answers on Home Foreclosure and Debt Cancellation
(Separate Website)
Information on the tax consequences of home foreclosure and debt cancellation.
By: Internal Revenue Service
Foreclosure Resource Center
(Separate Website)
Links to information focused on Philadelphia regarding mortgage foreclosures. Includes sections on Consumer Information; Community Resources; Research and Publications; Poicy and Regulation; and Events and News.
By: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Housing Counseling Agencies in Philadelphia
(Separate Website)
List of more than 30 housing counseling agencies that offer free counseling services to home owneres and buyers of homes in the City of Philadelphia. Eligibility requirements apply.
By: Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development