Washington, DC– In response to the worst housing crisis faced by the U.S. in 50 years, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—will host a HOME Clinic and a housing town hall titled “Foreclosures and the Mortgage Mess: How Do We Save Latino Homeownership?” that are free and open to the public at the 2008 NCLR Annual Conference held in San Diego on July 12–15.

NCLR, in partnership with the San Diego Housing Opportunities Collaborative, will host a HOME Clinic on Sunday, July 13, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., offering pro bono legal advice, housing counseling, and loan negotiation to families struggling with mortgage payments. The first 300 households will be guaranteed the opportunity to visit with counselors from agencies certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, attorneys, or service representatives. Expert financial advisor, author, and radio and television personality Julie Stav is scheduled to appear to share her financial knowledge with attendees.

In addition to the HOME Clinic, NCLR will also host a town hall on Monday, July 14, 3:30–5:00 p.m. on the foreclosure crisis and its impact on the Latino community. Evy Ramos, San Diego 10News anchor, will moderate the panel discussion on the various strategies that have been proposed to stem the tide of foreclosures. The expert panel, brought together by Freddie Mac, AARP, and Fannie Mae, includes Rosario Marin, Secretary of State and Consumer Services, State of California; Marty Gruenberg, Vice Chairman, FDIC; Carol Ornelas, Executive Director, Visionary Homebuilders; and Alan Fisher, Executive Director, California Reinvestment Coalition.

The NCLR Annual Conference is the single largest gathering of its kind in the Latino community. More than 20,000 community organization leaders, activists, and volunteers; elected and appointed officials; members of the corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; senior citizens; college students; and youth are expected to participate this year.

Visit www.nclr.org to learn more about the 2008 NCLR Annual Conference, download publications, and register for press credentials.

HOME Clinic

Town Hall Forum—Foreclosures and the Mortgage Mess: How Do We Save Latino Homeownership?

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