Politics
Politics

Why the feds say a Ga. foreclosure program helped too little, too late

A federal audit released Friday said that slow response by HomeSafe Georgia, a program to stave off foreclosure during the mortgage crisis, helped contribute to the housing market’s slow recovery. In Clayton County, where these homes are located, some 30 percent of mortgages remain underwater. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
A federal audit released Friday said that slow response by HomeSafe Georgia, a program to stave off foreclosure during the mortgage crisis, helped contribute to the housing market’s slow recovery. In Clayton County, where these homes are located, some 30 percent of mortgages remain underwater. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By Willoughby Mariano
Oct 13, 2017

The program was supposed to save Georgia homeowners from foreclosure through the worst real estate downturn in decades.

But HomeSafe Georgia was beset with complaints from the beginning that it helped too few, too slowly. Now a federal audit requested by U.S. Reps. John Lewis, D-Atlanta, and Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia, says the program soaked up $32 million in administrative fees, all while failing to help worthy applicants.

Read more at MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Willoughby Mariano
More Stories

Keep Reading

President Donald Trump speaks at an event to promote his domestic policy and budget agenda in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Credit: AP

How will the ‘big, beautiful bill’ impact Georgia?

The U.S. Senate-passed version of the reconciliation bill includes some key changes to the package approved by the House in May.

Blind justice? In Georgia, public safety officers still wear partisan labels

Some state lawmakers want to remove political party labels from sheriffs and district attorneys. Critics say party identification gives voters help when deciding.

PATRICIA MURPHY

Hometown of Plains adjusts to life without Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter

It’s been six months Jimmy Carter died at age 100, and his hometown of Plains continues to live by the example set by the late president and first lady Rosalynn Carter.

The Latest

Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Kalki Yalamanchili poses for photo at Athens-Clarke County Courthouse, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Athens. He won as an independent. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Blind justice? In Georgia, public safety officers still wear partisan labels

How will the ‘big, beautiful bill’ impact Georgia?

How an 18-year-old college student won a leadership position in Georgia GOP

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS

Amid UPS struggles, shipper makes first-ever plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

Kneeling man impaled by giant straw? Towering mural leaves public mystified.

A towering mural on the side of the Connally Hotel has mystified Atlanta since 2011. Who is the kneeling man, and what's piercing him? Is it a beam of light? A drinking straw?

OPINION

I just graduated college. Will I be able to buy a house like my parents did?

A recent college grad asks: Am I going to be able to buy a home like my parents did less than 30 years ago?