Stop foreclosures for the long-term unemployed

Stop foreclosures for the long-term unemployed

Greetings,

Please STOP foreclosures for the long-term unemployed.

As a matter of fact, stop ALL foreclosures until we figure out how to turn our economy around. What benefit is it to the community, to the State, or to the Nation, to put people out of their homes during a massive recession that has hit some States harder than others? The national impact of unemployment, which is 9.5% nationally and 12.3% in California, one of the states hit hardest, is at an all-time high with no end in sight in the moment. The majority of families that are losing their homes to foreclosure is due to unemployment. Latest figures indicate more than 2 million homes are in foreclosure as of June 2010.

On August 11, 2010, President Obama announced a plan for $3 billion to assist unemployed homeowners who are in foreclosure; however, this plan hasn't been implemented yet. The "Make Homes Affordable" program has helped some Americans faced with this crisis; however, for the long term unemployed, it has become an even bigger issue. Their unemployment insurance is not sufficient to pay their mortgage and in some instances, people have already exhausted their unemployment insurance and are doing what they can to keep their homes! The banking industry hasn't shown a willingness to assist the long-term unemployed. Will this plan also assist the long-term unemployed?

These Americans that are long-term unemployed are one of the highest stressed Americans because of the unknown. Our economy, this recession, is unstable. It is difficult finding jobs that will assist with making the mortgage payments. As we all are aware, minimum wage jobs will not pay for the house that we purchased when we were fully employed. These Americans are reaching (or have already reached) a dead-end, with reduced or no unemployment benefits, and now the very real risk of being homeless.

We are requesting that the President, the Senate, and our Representatives please stop foreclosures at least through December 2010. This will provide some time for people to get back on their feets, obtain employment, and generate income. This may just be a bandaid to a problem that is much bigger than all of us at this time; however, this would keep people in their homes. Ensuring we all have food and shelter is a fundamental need for all of humanity. Let's ensure we provide this for American citizens facing major hardships.

Stop foreclosures for the long-term unemployed!

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