HUD Directs Mortgage Relief

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez will direct allFHA-approved lenders to provide loan relief to families affected by therecent terrorist attacks. Martinez is also asking all major mortgagelenders, including those not insured by FHA, to consider providingrelief aswell. HUD will specifically ask lenders not to start or threatenforeclosurefor at least 90 days, while families are recovering from the financialproblems caused by the loss of a family member. HUD is also providing ahotline (800-217-6970) for information on housing counseling servicesand isworking with the Federal Emergency Disaster Agency to identify vacantHUD-owned housing that can be used as temporary housing for those forcedfrom their homes.