Attorney General Launches Moving Ohio Forward Demolition Grant Program To Remove Blighted Residential Structures
Attorney General Mike DeWine announces the launch of a new grant program to assist communities in their economic recovery by removing blighted or abandoned structures to reclaim our neighborhoods. Attorney General DeWine believes this is the first step in our housing recovery and is unique in devoting substantial resources to a demolition program.
$75 million has been allocated among all of Ohio’s counties to achieve the maximum number of demolitions of blighted or abandoned residential structures. Recognizing the economic hardships facing local governments, the Attorney General will not require a match for up to the first $500,000 allocated to each County.
The Attorney General’s Office is now accepting grant applications for the Moving Ohio Forward Demolition Grant Program. County Land Banks and local governments are eligible to apply with collaboration among all local governments and organizations within each County. Demolitions are currently being reimburse through December 31, 2013.
Click here for the Demolition Grant Program Guidelines and here for the Demolition Application.
Questions regarding this program should be directed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Mortgage Foreclosure Unit, 30 E. Broad St., 15th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or E-mail to
MovingOhioForward@ohioattorneygeneral.gov.
Information for Consumers Regarding Foreclosure Settlement
Attorney General Mike DeWine has joined a $25 billion federal-state settlement agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers – Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorganChase, and Wells Fargo - over foreclosure abuses and fraud, and unacceptable nationwide mortgage practices. Ohio’s estimated share of the settlement is $330 million.
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Ohio borrowers will receive an estimated total of $102 million in benefits from loan term modification and other direct relief.
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Ohio borrowers who lost their home to foreclosure from January 1, 2008 through December 11, 2011 and suffered servicing abuse would qualify for a total $ 44.9 million in cash payments.
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The value of refinanced loans to Ohio’s underwater borrowers would be an estimated total of $90 million.
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The Ohio Attorney General’s Office will receive $93 million to help with foreclosure prevention, revitalizing neighborhoods by getting rid of blighted properties, education for homeowners and prosecution of mortgage rescue scammers.
Watch for scams!
Scammers may call you and ask for money in exchange for information about this settlement or your eligibility. These are scams. Do not give them your money or personal information.
You do not need to pay any money to qualify for this settlement.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up. For truthful information about the settlement, visit www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com
Foreclosure Settlement Quick Facts for Borrowers:
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For more information on this settlement, including frequently asked questions and the settlement document itself, please visit: www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com.
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Because of the complexity of the mortgage market and this agreement, which will be performed over a three-year period, borrowers will not immediately know if they are eligible for relief.
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It will take between 30-60 days to appoint a settlement administrator.
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Banks will be conducting a vigorous search to identify eligible borrowers and this may take six to nine months.
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For loan modifications and refinance options, borrowers may be contacted directly by one of the five participating mortgage servicers.
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For payments to foreclosure victims, a settlement administrator designated by the attorneys general will send claim forms to eligible persons (You may be eligible if you were foreclosed on between January 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011)
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Even if you are not contacted, if your loan is serviced by one of the five settling banks, you are encouraged to contact your servicer to see if you are eligible for a loan modification —keeping in mind that it will take anywhere from six to nine months to be contacted.
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Bank of America: 877-488-7814
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Citi: 866-272-4749
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Chase: 866-372-6901
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Ally/GMAC: 800-766-4622
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Wells Fargo: 1-800-288-3212
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If you believe you are eligible for a cash payment under this settlement but are concerned you will be difficult to locate: we will collect and forward your information to the appropriate person to ensure you are contacted if you are eligible.
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More information will be posted as the settlement programs are implemented. You may call us at 1-800-282-0515 or check: www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com Or www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
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These sites will also include information about mortgage and foreclosure programs you may be eligible to access.
Foreclosure Settlement Quick Facts for Local Governments and Community Organizations
Attorney General Grant Program for Abandoned/Vacant Property Demolition -- $75 Million
One of the necessary components of Ohio's economic recovery is ridding our communities of the blight of abandoned homes.
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These vacant properties are a drag on our recovery, inhibiting the growth of our neighborhoods.
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They create a toxic breeding ground for crime.
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They depress the value of the remaining homes in that neighborhood.
While an exact total of abandoned homes is not available, conservative estimates place the number of vacant and abandoned properties in Ohio in need of immediate demolition at 100,000, though that number is likely much higher.
The Attorney General’s Office will use these funds for a grant program to help communities and organizations rid neighborhoods of blighted properties.
Attorney General Grant Program for Ohio Families – Up to $18 Million
The Attorney General’s Office will make available up to $18 million for a grant program to provide assistance to families and individuals who are at risk of foreclosure or have already lost their home.
More information on criteria and how to apply will be announced in the future. Please check this page for new information as it becomes available.
In February 2012, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, in conjunction with the federal government and 49 state attorneys general, announced a $25 billion federal-state agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers — Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorganChase, and Wells Fargo.