Saugus to offer homeowner retention workshop

SAUGUS – An upcoming workshop in Saugus will give area homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage a chance to save their homes.The Saugus Affordable Housing Trust is teaming up with Chelsea Restoration and the Massachusetts Attorney General?s Office for a homeowner retention workshop on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at Saugus Town Hall.?There are grants and programs out there that people aren?t aware of that could help them and rather than see people go into foreclosure or lose their home ? this workshop is geared to helping those people,” said Town Meeting and Affordable Housing Trust member Janet Leuci.According to Leuci, homeowners can learn about free resources available to help save their homes from foreclosure, meet one-on-one with lenders and HUD-approved housing counselors, and find out which mortgage assistance programs they qualify for. Leuci said English and Spanish-speaking housing counselors will be available, and all homeowners from around the North Shore are welcome to attend.?It?s free, it?s confidential and it?s a chance for people who need the help to get it,” said Leuci.Helen Zucco, Chelsea Restoration?s executive director, noted that homeowners have been “hit hard by this economy” and are still having difficulty making mortgage payments.?This workshop is a great opportunity to learn about all of the resources available,” she said.HUD-certified counselors will be on hand to give homeowners a chance to re-negotiate their mortgage terms to lower their monthly mortgage payments. They can help negotiate affordable mortgage payments through loan modifications or lowered interest rates.The workshop isn?t the first time the Affordable Housing Trust has worked with Chelsea Restoration. Both groups have been working together to rehabilitate and sell abandoned and dilapidated homes around Saugus.?We were approached by Chelsea Restoration and we?ve worked with them before,” said Robert Cox, a member of the Saugus Affordable Housing Trust. “(Zucco) received this grant to do the educational seminar and since she liked working with us, she wanted to do more with us.”Cox said the workshop is an opportunity to help people who still have their homes but may be struggling.?It?s not a guarantee that everyone there is going to get relief, but it?s a guarantee that your application will be submitted and submitted correctly,” said Cox. “They they?ll work from there with people who are qualified. If your mortgage isn?t held by Freddie or Fannie, you don?t really have an easy route to get assistance.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].