For Immediate Release

NEWARK COUNCIL MEMBERS ANIBAL RAMOS AND CARLOS GONZALEZ OFFER HOUSING ASSISTANCE FAIR FOR NEWARK RESIDENTS

Newark Council Members Anibal Ramos and Carlos Gonzalez Offer Housing Assistance Fair for Newark Residents

Event will offer information and assistance to both homeowners and renters looking for mortgage assistance and affordable housing

Newark, NJ – May 1, 2009 – May 1, 2009 (Newark) - North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., Councilman-At-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez and Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo will hold the annual Newark Housing Assistance Fair for residents. The program will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 6.00 pm at the Lady of Good Counsel Church, 654 Summer Avenue, Newark, NJ.

The program will focus on providing information to both homeowners and residents from housing counseling agencies. Representatives will be on hand offering information and assistance on finding affordable housing and emergency rental assistance. Participating organizations include La Casa de Don Pedro and the Essex County - Division Council for Supporting Housing. Additionally, homeowners will be offered information about options available to avoid foreclosure through the New Jersey Foreclosure Mediation Program, which provides housing counselors, lawyers, and mediators to homeowners facing foreclosure. Information will also be offered on how to avoid foreclosure scams.

"We want to educate residents on their rights and how to protect themselves against scams, loan fraud and the possibility of losing their home to foreclosure," says Councilman Ramos. Adds Councilman Gonzalez, "in Newark and other cities, scam artists are preying on the vulnerability of desperate homeowners because many so-called foreclosure rescue companies or foreclosure assistance programs are binding the victims to predatory agreements and typically evicting them before selling their homes to other buyers. This program will help those residents by providing the information they need to understand their rights and the responsibilities of their lenders and landlords."

For more information about the housing fair, contact Councilman Ramos' office at (973) 733-5136, or Councilman Gonzalez's office at (973) 733-6425.

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For more information contact Kim Prime, Cole Media, Inc. at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and (973) 609-2446