Hundreds of homeowners lined up outside a downtown Atlanta convention hall before daybreak Thursday seeking help with mortgages.
Some of those in line at the America's Mart had been in line for more than 24 hours after driving hundreds of miles, hoping to meet with representatives of the Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America, which, along with Chase Bank, is holding the events for those looking to avoid foreclosure.
At the front of the long line was Edwin Perez, who came all the way from New Jersey to get in line on Tuesday night.
Alexia Smith of Atlanta was the seventh person in line, having arrived at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
“I came to be here due to a layoff a couple of years ago,” Smith told the AJC.
Smith is “just having problems keeping up with my mortgage, even though I work three jobs,” she said. “This is my first home and it’s very important to me.”
This is NACA's third time in Atlanta in as many years.
“There are still people who need our help,” said Darren Duarte, NACA spokesman. “And we’ve streamlined our process even more so people looking for assistance can be helped more quickly.”
NACA is meeting homeowners at America’s Mart, 250 Spring St., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The organization was last in town in June, when an estimated 15,000 people showed up before noon on the first day.
Duarte said since they’ve seen so many people before, he’d be surprised if the number of people this time greatly eclipsed past visits.
“We do already have more than 5,000 people signed up to see counselors,” he said. “So we know we will be busy.”
Bruce Marks, NACA chief executive, said there now are more lenders on site and many homeowners are getting definite answers before they leave the event. Interested homeowners can register online at www.naca.com or call 1-888-499-6222.
Also 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday, homeowners with Chase mortgages can meet with loan advisers at the Georgia World Congress Center. No appointments are necessary and advisers expect to sit down with most borrowers within 15 minutes of their arrival, according to a news release.
This is a supplement to Chase’s two Homeownership Centers, which operate in the Atlanta area on a regular basis, the release said. The centers are at 900 Circle 75 Parkway, Suite 760, in Atlanta and 245 Country Club Drive, Building 300, in Stockbridge.
Staff photographer Bob Andres contributed to this article.
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