SAVE YOUR HOME PHILLY HOTLINE

TO ALL COURT:


At the request of President Judge C. Darnell Jones, II, Administrative Judge D. Webster Keogh, Supervising Judge Esther R. Sylvester and Judge Annette M. Rizzo I ask for your help in getting the word out about a very important Pilot Program.

As you may know, in response to the current national mortgage foreclosure crisis, the Court of Common Pleas recently adopted a Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Pilot Program designed to divert from Sheriff Sale owner occupied residential properties which are listed for Sheriff Sale because the homeowners are delinquent with their mortgage payments.

The reasons for the mortgage default are numerous and include: rising interest rates, unemployment and underemployment, unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the owner as well as the fact that some of the mortgage loans may have been "subprime" or "predatory."

The Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Pilot Program may provide homeowners with an opportunity to save their homes. However, to avail themselves of that opportunity, homeowners MUST contact: SAVE YOUR HOME PHILLY HOTLINE at 215-334-HOME (215-334-4663). Housing counselors will discuss available options with the homeowners.

You, your family or acquaintances may know homeowners who may benefit from the Diversion Program. We ask that you refer them to the SAVE YOUR HOME PHILLY HOTLINE so that they may receive valuable information and assistance. Detailed information about the Diversion Program is available from the website of the First Judicial District at http://courts.phila.gov/regs.

Thank you.



David C. Lawrence
Court Administrator
1st Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Room 336 City Hall
Philadelphia, Pa
19107
(215)-686-2547
dave.lawrence@courts.phila.gov