Allegiance Supports the Community Foreclosure Coalition
January 7, 2010
Jackson, Mich. — Allegiance Health is the latest organization to become a supporting partner of the Community Foreclosure Coalition of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. The coalition was launched this past summer by the Community Action Agency to respond to the foreclosure crisis in the tri-county region.
Since its launch, the coalition has grown to include over 55 organizations and offices—all working together to stem the tide of local foreclosures and to soften their impact on individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities. The coalition’s initial work has focused on spreading the word through its partners and their networks about what people need to know and do to prevent foreclosure. The coalition is also spreading awareness of the free HUD and MSHDA certified foreclosure counselors available to help individuals work with their lenders to avoid foreclosure.
In announcing their partnership with the coalition, Allegiance Vice President for Development William Kiel said, “This is yet another way Allegiance acts on its commitment to the health and well being of the people in this community. I can’t think of many things more basic to well-being than making sure individuals don’t lose their homes because of reduced hours, loss of a job or unexpected medical bills.” He added, “We applaud the coalition’s efforts and are working with them in a number of ways to educate our 3,500 staff as well as the patients we serve.”
Coalition Director Neeta Delaney described the partnership with Jackson County’s largest employer as a “model for others she hopes will follow. According to Delaney “the numbers tell the story even if individuals are embarrassed or ashamed to let friends or even family members know their situation.”
In the past five and half years, over 5,600 Jackson county households have lost their homes to foreclosure. “Living in a state with the highest unemployment rate in the country and with over 50 percent of Michigan mortgage holders owing more on their mortgage than their home is worth, we know this crisis will be with is for the foreseeable future,” Delaney said. “It is impacting people of all ages, income and educational levels from all walks of life. That means that all employers need to be aware that although they aren’t likely to talk about it, a significant percentage of their employees are probably struggling to keep their homes. It is in both the employees and employer’s best interest to help us get the word out that many foreclosure are preventable and that there is free, certified help available. Allegiance is serving as a model for other employers by doing just that.”
Allegiance, in partnership with the coalition, will host a town hall meeting on its campus in early February targeted at staff and the community. Marsha Kreucher, executive director of Community Action Agency, the coalition’s founding partner, expressed her appreciation of Allegiance’s support. “When we launched the coalition last summer, we had no idea how quickly we would be able to make a difference but because of a growing network of partners like Allegiance, we are already having an impact.”
For more foreclosure-prevention related information for homeowners, renters and neighbors in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties or to join the coalition as a supporting partner, visit their website at www.jlhcfc.org. Printed materials including brochures and flyers are downloadable from this site.