Help for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Families facing home foreclosure can get free assistance and funding by calling the nonprofit organization, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People.

ESOP Foreclosure Prevention Advocate Erin Gray spoke with Muskingum County Commissioners Thursday, asking for their assistance to help spread the word that homeowners facing foreclosure can receive up to $15,000 in assistance.

"There’s plenty of money to go around, all we need is the interest from the homeowner," said Gray.

The federal money comes to Ohio from the Restoring Stability Program- also known as the Hardest Hit Funds Grant- designed to help Ohio homeowners avoid foreclosure. Gray said the program has two levels of assistance, a Rescue Payment and a Partial Mortgage Payment.

"This will help the person receiving unemployment benefits pay their mortgage," said Gray. "The program will pay a portion of it for up to 15 months and the homeowners pays a small portion of it."

For more information you can contact the ESOP Office in Muskingum County at 740-617-4228. Located at 38 North 4th Street in downtown Zanesville, ESOP is open Monday through Friday and available weekends by appointment.