HCD Participates in “Cash Counts” Foreclosure Fair

On Saturday, June 19, the “Cash Counts” Foreclosure Fair & Family Finance Expo was held at the Fairfax County Government Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The free event was hosted by Fairfax County as a part of the Northern Virginia CASH Campaign (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope).  Lenders, personal finance experts, banks, consumer protection agencies, and community-based groups offered tools and expertise to expertise to impart knowledge to attendees on rebuilding after a financial crisis or recovering from mortgage distress. At the opening breakfast, speakers included:Congressman Gerry Connolly (11th District of Virginia), Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Executive Director Christine Todd and Virginia Delegate Mark Keam, HCD Director Paula C. Sampson, and DFS Director Nannette Bowler.

The Homeownership division of Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), presented a session called “Tools to Avoid Foreclosure” presentation from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. in partnership with Legal Service of Northern Virginia and Consumer Affairs. HCD participated in panel discussion topics including: Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program (HAFA), down payment and closing cost assistance program.  In addition, HCD had a booth at the event to answer questions about foreclosure prevention.

Partners of the event included: Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Housing and Community Development, and Cable Communications and Consumer Protection; the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA); the Hispanic Committee of Virginia; Our Daily Bread; Money Management International; Enterprise Development Group; the Asian-American Real Estate Association; the Financial Literacy Network of Northern Virginia; the Business Development Assistance Group; Volunteer Fairfax; and Boat People SOS.