Counseling for foreclosure process

By Dan DuChene
Apr. 23, 2009    ·    12:16 a.m.

Eastern Michigan University counselors don’t want members of the community going through foreclosure to do it alone.

The EMU Counseling Clinic, a part of the College of Education, is offering reduced-rate counseling to people and families going through the foreclosure process.

“One of the loneliest things you can go through is financial problems,” Perry Francis, coordinator for the clinic, said. “We’re here to provide an opportunity to talk.”

Ypsilanti City Planner Richard Murphy said, “Currently, there are 109 properties in the city that we’ve identified as bank-owned.”

With the U.S. Census Bureau reporting 5,358 single-family homes in the city in 2007, the number means more than 2 percent of all the homes in the city have been foreclosed and have not been sold.

“The vast majority of people will come through the other end OK,” Francis said.

As far as impact on a family, Francis said a death in the family is the most comparable scenario. He said families have trouble coping with the lack of control in both situations. However, he said families tend to be more willing to seek support from friends and family during a death.

“People are willing to help,” Francis said.

“A foreclosure is not a statement about who you are as a person,” he said. “It’s better to seek support than it is to isolate yourself.”

Francis said clients can use the services to “vent,” or to seek guidance about the foreclosure process. He pointed to the United Way’s Helpline, 2-1-1, where people can get information on charitable and governmental support 365 days-a-year.

Additionally, literature from the clinic points to services from the county and the University of Michigan.

Francis said many people worry about having to wind up living in a car or on the street during a foreclosure.

“That’s usually not going to happen,” he said.

Through these services, he said most people can find temporary housing through renting an apartment or housing vouchers. He said there are programs for people to get retrained in a new career field as well.

“People need to hear that,” he said.

Francis said children, especially, need to hear that the will be safe, that their parents will be OK and that food and schooling will be available.

“All those things that kids need,” he said.
However, when going after support, Francis said it’s important to make sure it’s from the right source. He said many people going through foreclosure wind up being solicited by different agencies.

“Companies say they’ll help,” Francis said. “It’s best to check with the Better Business Bureau.”

Francis said the clinic is staffed by 15 “advanced graduate students” serving as clinicians. A supervisor directly monitors five clinicians for training and support. Francis directly monitors the supervisors.

The clinic charges a low-cost fee on a sliding scale. Francis said it could cost anywhere from $1 to $50, but no one will be turned away because of money.

Community members interested in contacting the EMU Counseling Clinic, located on the ground floor of the Porter Building, should call 734-487-4410.