Home

 

Facing the Mortgage Crisis – People. Connections. Resources.
CPTV and WNPR have been joined by United Way 2-1-1 and community partners to connect people at risk of foreclosure with the resources they need. This collaborative community effort is raising awareness of the impact of the mortgage crisis in Connecticut through on-air, online and personal interactions.
 
 
Facing the Mortgage Crisis Town Meeting
 
Live on CPTV: Tuesday, June 23 at 8 p.m.
Rebroadcasts on Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. 
Now streaming on-demand here!
According to industry experts, one in 10 Connecticut homeowners is behind on mortgage payments or in foreclosure. Facing the Mortgage Crisis Town Meeting, airing live on Tuesday June 23 at 8 p.m. on CPTV, will provide information and resources to help individuals facing foreclosure. The program will be simulcast live on WNPR and streamed at www.cptv.org and www.wnpr.org.
 
Facing the Mortgage Crisis Town Meeting is a CPTV production in partnership with the presenting sponsor, Webster Bank, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) with in-kind support from United Way 2-1-1. Facing the Mortgage Crisis is part of CPB’s Public Service Media Economic Response Initiative.
 
Journalist Steve Kotchko of CPTV’s On the Record will host the town meeting, which will feature experts from local and state agencies assisting homeowners in financial peril and representatives from the mortgage industry.
 
Viewers will hear from struggling homeowners who are attending the town meeting to speak out about subprime loans that almost forced their homes into foreclosure. Bridgeport homeowner Horace Bryan will give a firsthand account of how home ownership can turn into a nightmare when subprime loans are involved. Others will address the desperation of unemployed homeowners, no longer able to make mortgage payments and now reaching out for help.
 
Viewers can:
 
·         Call 1-800-842-2788 with their questions and comments
 
·         Email mortgagecrisis@cptv.org
 
·         Tweet via twitter.com at www.twitter.com/CPBN
 
The Mortgage Crisis Town Meeting will be rebroadcast on Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m.
 
 
Panelists
 
Carol A. DeRosa, Administrator
Residential Mortgage Programs, Community & Program Development & Marketing
The CHFA has programs available to assist homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgages. DeRosa will speak about President Obama’s loan modification and refinancing programs as well as pending state legislation that would help homeowners in trouble. DeRosa will also warn homeowners about mortgage modification scams.
 
Steve Tessler, Loan Officer
Tessler, a successful Realtor turned loan officer, will answer questions about the real estate/ borrowing market right now. He’ll tell viewers to “get back to basics” by building good credit and educate people on how to obtain a manageable mortgage.
 
Bridgette Russell, Managing Director
HomeOwnership Center at the Neighborhood Housing
Russell serves as the Managing Director for the HomeOwnership Center at the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven. The group provides credit counseling, financial literacy, foreclosure intervention counseling and full cycle lending.
 
 
Presenting Sponsor: Webster Bank
"Webster Bank has been helping Connecticut individuals and families to realize the dream of home ownership since the bank was founded by my father, Harold Webster Smith, 74 years ago," said Jim Smith, Webster's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "At Webster, we know that home ownership is more than an investment, it's a commitment to family and community. That's why Webster is working with borrowers to keep that dream alive for Connecticut residents during difficult times. It's also why Webster is pleased to sponsor CPTV's live town meeting on this important topic."
 
 
Community Resource Partner: United Way 2-1-1

United Way of Connecticut President Rick Porth said, "As mortgage foreclosures continue in Connecticut, it is essential that residents know where to turn for help. United Way 2-1-1 is poised to offer assistance to residents statewide who are struggling with foreclosureissues and consequently may need help with other basic needs as well. United Way 2-1-1 is therefore pleased to partner with CPTV in an endeavor that will help more people get connected with the mortgage foreclosure assistance they need."