Under the direction and leadership of Medina County Commissioner Patricia Geissman, the "Medina County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce" has been formed to address the mounting foreclosure crisis facing many homeowners in Medina County today. A select group of local governmental leaders, non-profit and private sector business executives have been asked to join the committee, volunteering their time and sharing their expertise in an effort to provide critical aid and assistance to area homeowners in need.
At the initial meeting of the committee, Commissioner Geissman expressed her concern about the worsening foreclosure statistics in Medina County and her desire to help Medina County residents who are facing financial setbacks (such as unemployment, divorce, illness or injury) that could put them in a pre-foreclosure situation. She disclosed to the committee that there were 856 foreclosures in Medina County in 2007 and the county is on a pace to exceed that number in 2008! More importantly, these statistics represent area families who are being forced from their homes and Mrs. Geissman wanted to find out what could be done to help property owners with this problem - a problem that affects not only the individual or family in crisis, but also the surrounding community.
Suggestions, direction and commentary have been provided to the committee by the following members or office representatives: Medina County Commissioner Patricia Geissman, Court of Common Pleas Judge James Kimbler, State Representative Bob Gibbs, Commissioner Steve Hambley, local business representatives from the financial, banking and real estate industries, Medina County Treasurer's office, Medina County Auditor's office, Medina County Recorder's office, Community Legal Aid Services, Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority, United Way, Department of Planning Services, Medina Creative Housing, the City of Medina and more.
An analysis of the foreclosure information available at the regional, state or national level does not provide Medina County residents with many local choices to help them in their time of need. A task charged to the committee is to identify as many opportunities for local assistance as possible and to more easily make those sources available to local residents who wish to utilize those agencies, businesses or organizations in a confidential, convenient and informative format.
The committee is planning to conduct a public awareness campaign that will encourage property owners who are faced with foreclosure to seek help as soon as possible. A toll free phone number has been established by the county and will soon be staffed by trained counselors. A web site is also in the process of being developed. The committee's goal is to have the program in operation by December 2008. Look for future news releases and other announcements pertaining to the topic of foreclosure prevention and intervention as the "Medina County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce" continues its important work on behalf of local property owners in crisis.
Ron Denbow, Marketing & Public Awareness Committee Co-Chairman
Real Estate - Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty, Medina County