Region IV Administrator, Ed Jennings, Jr. and staff from the Atlanta Homeownership Center recently developed a one day forum to discuss how more homeowners could benefit from the Obama Administration's Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) program, and to learn and share Best Practices that have aided homeowners in trouble with their mortgage state housing finance agencies and major servicers.

The invitational forum was conceived by Region Administrator, Ed Jennings, Jr. to coordinate an unprecedented meeting of industry and federal, state and local leaders in a concerted effort to strengthen partnerships through sharing information and listening to challenges and bottlenecks impacting the system of delivery for troubled homeowners and borrowers. Jennings focus was to increase opportunities to reach a greater percentage of Region IV borrowers with timely and valuable assistance. Lisa E. Danzig, HUD Director, Office of Strategic Planning & Management, provided opening remarks and was an essential participant in the forum discussions.

"We see ourselves in the role of catalysts bringing partners together to discuss what's working, and becoming equally engaged while sharing viable solutions. It is my goal that through efforts as this, we will increase the number of borrowers assisted and communications between all parties will be enhanced," said Jennings.

Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund/Program Advisor, Aaron Kabaker, also shared a current analysis and overview of the Hardest Hit Fund, which was established in February 2012 to provide financial funding to states hit hardest by serious home price declines, unemployment and/or underemployment.

Seven of the eight Southeastern Housing Finance Agencies served as panelists and shared information on their HHF programs that were designed specifically to meet the distinct challenges struggling homeowners in their state are facing. Nearly all of the Southeastern State Housing Finance agencies were in attendance representing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Additional highlights of the forum included panelists discussing Best and New Practices from servicers. Participants on the servicing panel included some of the top lenders in the region, which were Bank of America, Chase, Quicken Loans, SunTrust, US Bank and Wells Fargo. Other servicers in attendance included Citimortgage and Regions.

The forum concluded with an open discussion that included recommendations on efforts that could further assist borrowers. Participants in this crucial discussion included HUD approved counselors representing more than five states, along with representatives from the Asian Real Estate Association, National Association of Real Estate Brokers and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

Ed Jennings concluded, "We are extremely pleased with the success of this forum, as it truly demonstrates that our collaborative efforts can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many Americans." More than 80 attendees participated, representing servicers, housing finance agencies, HUD approved counselors, and other industry partners.

HUD's priority goal 1 is to stem the foreclosure crisis - which seeks to assists homeowners facing foreclosure; utilizing the tools of prevention, loan modifications, and loan financing programs with transition to financially sustainable housing options. Accordingly, the Atlanta Office is working in conjunction with other federal and state government entities, local authorities, businesses, nonprofit organizations and housing counseling agencies in the target area to decrease the number of potential foreclosures and help responsible homeowners stay in their homes. Additionally, we are working with these agencies to help build upon existing local assets to provide viable solutions that will strengthen the overall economic viability of designated areas. For more information about avoiding foreclosure go to avoiding foreclosure and Hardest Hit Fund.