General Stimulus Information for Clients or Consumers

The government has established a consumer friendly website with the latest news, budget information and guidelines about the stimulus plan and other funding activities located at www.Recovery.gov or visit the U.S. Treasury website at http://www.financialstability.gov

Clients and current homeowners that aren't sure whether or not they will qualify for help may also want to visit http://www.mymoney.gov for free calculators and other information provided by the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission in conjuction with www.ControlYourCredit.gov.

Local Credit Counseling Services. Locate a HUD approved counselor online by visiting http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/

Housing Related Stimulus Information

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD website has created a website related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 at http://www.hud.gov/recovery. Learn about tax credits, funding allocations for each state and access links to apply for more information in your area.

Taxes, Banking and Finance Related Stimulus Information The U.S. Department of the Treasury website is located at http://www.treas.gov /recovery/. You can even sign up to purchase foreclosed or seized property online.

Both are sponsored by the United States government and provide a comprehensive list of available funds, eligibility requirements and how to apply.

HOPE for Homeowners was the original troubled homeowners program that has now been expanded to include additional assistance in the form of counseling and referrals to mortgage companies and other services designed to provide the resources to prevent foreclosure. Homeowner's HOPE ™ Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (4673) or visit www.hopenow.com.

Take a look at your current mortgage

If it owned or guaranteed by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac then you may be eligible for a faster refinancing program. If you aren't sure whether or not your mortgage is underwritten by either of these programs call your mortgage lender or servicing company or visit www.fanniemae.com or https://ww3.freddiemac.com/corporate/ or call 1-800-7FANNIE or Freddie at 1-800-FREDDIE to find out who owns your mortgage.

Those with an existing mortgage underwritten by Freddie or Fannie who wish to refinance might be eligible for streamline processing even for some rentals or second homes. If you aren't sure where to begin, use the FHA Lender Finder located at http://www.fhaoutreach.gov/lender/lender.do.

Veterans - Veterans in need of loan assistance should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn about programs that will help veterans avoid foreclosure including refinancing homes with low interest rate loans, special mortgage programs to purchase or upgrade to energy efficient homes and foreclosure prevention programs just for veterans.

Small Business Loans & Grants - Learn about government stimulus programs that provide free money in the form of grants by searching the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA website at www.cfda.gov or the federal government grants website at www.grants.gov.