'Education is Key' was neatly lettered on a bulletin board near the entrance of a meeting room at Jericho City of Praise on November 16. Ironically, attendees received a crash educational course on the alarming status of climbing foreclosure rates in Maryland. Discussion of saving homes by asking Governor O'Malley to sign an executive order to halt foreclosures began with a spirited prayer. On a misty Saturday morning, homeowners, elders, elected officials, activists and Maryland residents attentively listened to presented information and shared stories about foreclosure struggles, due to possible illegal bank and mortgage loan service practices.
Bob Ross, President of the Maryland NAACP, remarked that children should inherit wealth and land. That possibility is fading quickly for many families in Prince George's County, and other Marylanders, especially if swift action is not taken.
"This is a grassroots movement. We have to raise noise at the state and local level. It can't stop today, folks. We have to go back to what we know, making sure we have wealth for our children. We've got to link our arms. We have to get back to it, if you're serious about why we're here. I want the Governor to take concern and solve the housing problem," Mr. Ross added.
Pastor Lennox Abrigo, President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of National Action Network, passionately remarked, "Rev. Sharpton is supporting this fight. He wants us to be more visible and prominent for issues related to our people. No person in office can hold public office unless elected. Our vote is the most powerful weapon."
The guest speaker urged attendees to help raise $1 million for Prince George's County's NAACP chapter before the end of 2013.
"We need a moratorium...an executive order to stop this," Pastor Abrigo continued, referring to the foreclosure crisis.
Del. Aisha Braveboy also commented about why the issue is so critical to homeowners who may not currently be in jeopardy. She explained the practice that many banks may have of decreasing and stripping equity out of property in communities by not maintaining bank owned homes there, especially in working class and low income areas. These homes usually stay on the market well over a year and sell for less than what they could have. Del. Aisha Braveboy informed the public that the practice decreases property value and reminded that we have to care about our neighbors and consider what we are passing on to our children.
Del. Aisha Braveboy
"There is wealth in our homes. This about wealth preservation and generational wealth in our community."
Carmen Johnson, Chairwoman of Prince George's County NAACP Housing Committee, spoke about Maryland's foreclosure rate, banks having secret qualifiers, needing a gatekeeper, and judicial fairness.
"The loan modification approval rate is less than 15%. Elected officials need to introduce foreclosure legislation. We want a moratorium. I don't want anymore families kicked out in the street. Christmas is coming. This is about holding on to the American dream and fighting to freeze all foreclosures. Help us save our homes," the Chairwoman said, inspiring a standing ovation.
William Thomas, of Largo, is a housing counsellor who works in Suitland, Maryland. He spoke about his experience interacting with clients, and the practical complications that may arise from becoming homeless.
"The first question is, 'How long do I have? How long can I remain in my home?' Families find it difficult to rent and have employment because of credit. There are families moving into homeless shelters. We are now addressing men and women living in tents and sleeping on mattresses. We are beginning to see veterans who are former homeowners becoming homeless."
The question soon evolved into how the middle class could survive the foreclosure crisis, in a county once noted for African-American affluence. The conversation intensified as testimonies were provided by individuals who experienced complications of saving their homes, instructions provided to them to stop payments, bankruptcy problems, enforcing laws on the books, and alleged fraud. Selling loans to lenders, problems with communication and modification with original lenders, balloon payments, and refinancing issues were also difficulties cited. Support of the local NAACP chapter was stressed, although the foreclosure issue was identified as a state problem, not just a local matter.
Chairwoman Johnson and others reminded that color and creed does not matter, when you are trying to keep your home.
"Cut out the racial thing," she also suggested.
In addition to a moratorium on foreclosures, and organizing on the local level, civil rights law firms are reportedly prepared to join the fight. Final remarks included dissemination of information and a citizen call to action. Attendees were instructed to contact the NAACP, and stay involved to help halt foreclosures, by logging onto http://www.marylandvotersagainstforeclosure.org/.
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