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Politics

Surviving the Housing Crunch

During the event the best resource by far I found for homeowners struggling to avoid foreclosure was the San Diego Home Loan Counseling & Education Center.

The San Diego Home Loan Counseling & Education Center is a Housing of Urban Development (HUD) approved, certified non-profit agency that offers (among many other services): budget and credit counseling; counseling assistance for re-qualifying as a home buyer after foreclosure; and default/foreclosure counseling services.

The fees for these in-depth counseling services are charged on a sliding fee scale however, Mr. Dean Brown of the SDHLCEC told me that right now the fees are waived (free!) thanks to grant funding. & These services are free or very moderately priced otherwise, and the consumer value must be very high. &

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For first-time home buyers, there were lots of resources, such as the California Housing Financing Agency , the Housing Opportunities Collaborative , and especially great for veterans who are first-time home buyers, the California Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program.

For consumers ready to file a grievance against a lender, broker, real estate agency or other business that misleading buyers into unprincipled deals, the Attorney General's office has a consumer complaint division that takes legal action on the public's behalf. & However, for this system to work, consumers must file a complaint . & The good news is that it's a straightforward process.

The Housing Fair provided a place to consider the consumer's role in a sliding economy. & I hope readers use the information and consider which candidates show leadership beyond hoping to be elected this year.

A big decision awaits some voters this July as the race for San Diego County’s Supervisor District 1 seat heats up. Are you ready to vote? Check out the KPBS Voter Hub to learn about the candidates, the key issues the board is facing and how you can make your voice heard.