FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Oregon Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

FEMA Alert
July 22, 2025 

***LAST UPDATE: 10/7/25***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Oregon to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from March 13-20, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

 

Public Assistance:

  • Coos
  • Curry
  • Douglas
  • Josephine

 

Oregon Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4881-OR)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Michigan Severe Winter Storm

FEMA Alert
July 22, 2025 

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Michigan to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm from March 28-30, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

 

Public Assistance:

  • Alcona
  • Alpena
  • Antrim
  • Charlevoix
  • Cheboygan
  • Crawford
  • Emmet
  • Kalkaska
  • Little Traverse Bay Indian Reservation
  • Mackinac
  • Montmorency
  • Oscoda
  • Otsego
  • Presque Isle

 

Michigan Severe Winter Storms (DR-4880-MI)

Map of Affected Areas

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Washington Burdoin Fire

FEMA Alert
July 19, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Washington to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Burdoin Fire on July 18, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Klickitat

 

Washington Burdoin Fire (FM-4601-WA)

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Congress Acts to Help Veterans Avoid Foreclosure

Industry Update
July 18, 2025

Source: The Center Square

Congress has passed legislation to help veterans avoid foreclosure after the Department of Veterans Affairs ended a mortgage relief program in May without a permanent replacement.

The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which passed the Senate last week and awaits President Donald Trump’s signature, creates a five-year partial claims program for delinquent borrowers with VA-backed loans. It lets the VA buy a portion of a loan in default, allowing veterans to catch up on payments without immediately losing their homes.

The move comes after the VA ended the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program on May 1, leaving tens of thousands of veterans at risk of foreclosure. VASP had helped about 33,000 borrowers stay in their homes by offering new low-interest loans directly from the VA.

“This bipartisan and bicameral legislation will assist veterans who are facing financial hardships and provide VA with a tool to better help veterans stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure,” a joint statement from the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs said.

The measure grants the VA the power to “pay the holder of a loan guaranteed by the VA an amount necessary to avoid the foreclosure of the loan,” provided that legal documents are executed to give the VA a secured interest in the property, according to a bill summary on Congress.gov. Borrowers would repay the VA later when refinancing, selling, or paying off the home.

The Mortgage Bankers Association praised the bill’s passage.

“MBA applauds the Senate for taking swift bipartisan action to support veterans at risk of foreclosure by passing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act,” MBA President Bob Broeksmit said in a statement. “This important legislation… is a critical step forward in ensuring that distressed veteran homeowners have access to a proven and sustainable loss mitigation solution.”

The National Association of Realtors also expressed support for the proposal.

“We are grateful to the House of Representatives and the Senate for passing this measure and providing veterans and active-duty service members the same advantages as other buyers in a competitive real estate market,” Shannon McGahn, NAR’s EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer, said in a statement.

As of April 1, about 75,000 veteran borrowers had missed three or more payments on their VA-backed loans. Of those, 33,000 were already in foreclosure, NPR reports.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., a retired Navy SEAL and lead sponsor of the bill, criticized the Biden administration for creating VASP unilaterally.

“Under the Biden administration, the VA created the VASP program without consulting Congress, costing the American taxpayers $5.8 billion and endangering the entire VA home loan guarantee program,” his statement said. “My bill offers a real solution to help every servicemember and veteran maintain the American Dream of homeownership.”

With interest rates around 7%, many veterans who defaulted on their mortgages have been left with few realistic options, according to Mortgage Point. After VASP ended, loan modifications often meant higher monthly payments, and some lenders advised veterans to sell or face foreclosure. The partial claims program is designed to offer a more viable alternative, the report said.

The VA has not yet said when it will launch the new program or whether it will ask mortgage servicers to pause foreclosures in the meantime.

“We appreciate Congress’s work on the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which VA will implement once President Trump signs it into law,” VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz told reporters.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Foreclosure Activity in First Half of 2025 Up from Previous Year

Industry Update
July 16, 2025

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, today released its Mid-Year 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 187,659 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — in the first six months of 2025. That figure is up 5.8 percent from the same time period a year ago and up 1.1 percent from the same time period two years ago.

“Foreclosure activity continued its upward trend in the first half of 2025, with increases in both starts and completed foreclosures compared to last year,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While the overall numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, the persistent rise suggests that some homeowners are still facing financial challenges amid today’s housing and economic landscape.”

States that saw the greatest increases in foreclosure activity compared to a year ago in the first half of 2025 included Alaska (up 55 percent); Rhode Island (up 51 percent); Wyoming (up 46 percent); Utah (up 46 percent); and Colorado (up 41 percent).

Illinois, Delaware, and Nevada post worst state foreclosure rates

Nationwide, 0.13 percent of all housing units (one in every 758) had a foreclosure filing in the first half of 2025.

States with the worst foreclosure rates in the first half of 2025 were Illinois (0.23 percent of housing units with a foreclosure filing); Delaware (0.23 percent); Nevada (0.21 percent); Florida (0.21 percent); and South Carolina (0.20 percent).

Other states with first-half foreclosure rates among the 10 worst nationwide were Indiana (0.18 percent); New Jersey (0.18 percent); Connecticut (0.17 percent); Ohio (0.16 percent); and Texas (0.15 percent).

Worst metro foreclosure rates in Lakeland, Columbia, and Chicago

Among the 225 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the worst foreclosure rates in the first half of 2025 were Lakeland, Florida (0.29 percent of housing units with foreclosure filings); Columbia, South Carolina (0.28 percent); Chicago, Illinois (0.26 percent); Ocala, Florida (0.26 percent); and Jacksonville, North Carolina (0.26 percent).

Other major metro areas with foreclosure rates ranking among the top 10 worst in the first half of 2025 were Fayetteville, North Carolina (0.26 percent of housing units with a foreclosure filing); Las Vegas, Nevada (0.25 percent); Cleveland, OH (0.25 percent); Atlantic City, New Jersey (0.25 percent); and Palm Beach, Florida (0.25 percent).

Foreclosure starts up 7 percent from last year

A total of 140,006 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in the first six months of 2025, up 7 percent from the first half of last year and up 41 percent from the first half of 2020.

States that saw the greatest number of foreclosure starts in the first half of 2025 included Texas (17,680 foreclosure starts); Florida (15,198 foreclosure starts); California (14,751 foreclosure starts); Illinois (7,922 foreclosure starts); and New York (6,585 foreclosure starts).

Bank repossessions increase in first half of 2025 from last year

Lenders foreclosed (REO) on a total of 21,007 U.S. properties in the first six months of 2025, up 12 percent from the first half of 2024 but down 7 percent from the first half of 2023.

States that posted the greatest number of REOs in the first half of 2025 included Texas (2,207 REOs); California (1,799 REOs); Pennsylvania (1,461 REOs); Illinois (1,439 REOs); and Michigan (1,260 REOs).

Average time to foreclose continues to decline

Properties foreclosed in Q2 2025 had been in the foreclosure process an average of 645 days. That figure was down 4 percent from the previous quarter and down 21 percent from a year ago.

States with the longest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q2 2025 were Louisiana (3,612 days); Hawaii (2,746 days); Nevada (1,974 days); New York (1,927 days); and Connecticut (1,874 days).

States with the shortest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q2 2025 were Wyoming (125 days); Texas (135 days); New Hampshire (149 days); Montana (154 days); and Minnesota (162 days).

Worst quarterly foreclosure rates in South Carolina, Illinois, and Florida

There were a total of 100,687 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filing during the second quarter of 2025, up 7 percent from the previous quarter and up 13 percent from a year ago.

Nationwide one in every 1,413 housing units had a foreclosure filing in Q2 2025. States with the worst foreclosure rates were South Carolina (one in every 874 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Illinois (one in every 877 housing units); Florida (one in every 881 housing units); Delaware (one in every 916 housing units); and Nevada (one in every 986 housing units).

Among 110 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 500,000, those with the worst foreclosure rates in Q2 2025 were Lakeland, Florida (one in every 654 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Columbia, South Carolina (one in every 694 housing units); Palm Bay, Florida (one in every 716 housing units); Bakersfield, California (one in every 720 housing units); and Cleveland, OH (one in 721).

June 2025 Foreclosure Activity High-Level Takeaways

Nationwide in June 2025, one in every 4,361 properties had a foreclosure filing.

States with the worst foreclosure rates in June 2025 were South Carolina (one in every 2,426 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Nevada (one in every 2,615 housing units); Florida (one in every 2,716 housing units); Illinois (one in every 2,766 housing units); and Delaware (one in every 3,074 housing units).

21,782 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in June 2025, down 10 percent from the previous month but up 17 percent from June 2024.

Lenders completed the foreclosure process on 3,892 U.S. properties in June 2025, up 1 percent from the previous month and up 35 percent from June 2024.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Utah Monroe Canyon Fire

FEMA Alert
July 16, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Utah to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Monroe Canyon Fire on July 7, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Piute
  • Sevier

 

Utah Monroe Canyon Fire (FM-5600-UT)

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Utah Deer Creek Fire

FEMA Alert
July 12, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Utah to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Deer Creek Fire on July 10, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • San Juan

 

Utah Deer Creek Fire (FM-5598-UT)

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Oregon Highland Fire

FEMA Alert
July 13, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Oregon to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Highland Fire on July 12, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Crook

 

Oregon Highland Fire (FM-5599-OR)

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie and Freddie: Single Family Serious Delinquency Rates Decreased in May

Industry Update
July 1, 2025

Source: Calculated Risk

Freddie Mac reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate in May was 0.55%, down from 0.57% April. Freddie’s rate is up year-over-year from 0.49% in May 2024, however, this is below the pre-pandemic level of 0.60%.

Freddie’s serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 4.20% following the housing bubble and peaked at 3.17% in August 2020 during the pandemic.

Fannie Mae reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate in May was 0.53%, down from 0.55% in April. The serious delinquency rate is up year-over-year from 0.48% in May 2024, however, this is below the pre-pandemic lows of 0.65%.

The Fannie Mae serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 5.59% following the housing bubble and peaked at 3.32% in August 2020 during the pandemic.

These are mortgage loans that are “three monthly payments or more past due or in foreclosure”. Mortgages in forbearance are being counted as delinquent in this monthly report but are not reported to the credit bureaus.

For Fannie, by vintage, for loans made in 2004 or earlier (1% of portfolio), 1.37% are seriously delinquent (down from 1.39% the previous month).

For loans made in 2005 through 2008 (1% of portfolio), 1.94% are seriously delinquent (down from 1.98%).

For recent loans, originated in 2009 through 2023 (98% of portfolio), 0.49% are seriously delinquent (down from 0.50%). So, Fannie is still working through a handful of poor performing loans from the bubble years.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

HUD Freezes Foreclosures on FHA Mortgages in Texas Flood Zone

Industry Update
July 9, 2025

Source: National Mortgage Professional

In response to devastating floods that have ravaged Texas Hill Country since early July, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has enacted a 90-day foreclosure moratorium on more than 900 Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured single-family mortgages in Kerr County.

The moratorium “will provide relief in the wake of this devastation,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner posted on X Tuesday afternoon. “This is an unfathomable tragedy, and HUD will continue to help.”

At least 110 lives have been lost in the Texas floods over the July Fourth weekend. The deadly floods have also left at least 161 people missing, and the majority of the deaths occurred in Kerr County, with 87 fatalities reported there.

The HUD action comes after President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the region, which continues to suffer from catastrophic flooding, straight-line winds, and severe storms.

“Our hearts break as we witness the catastrophe unfolding in Texas,” Turner said in a release from HUD. “The flash floods have claimed the lives of more than 100 Americans and displaced countless others.”

“HUD will continue to provide resources and support as we pray for the Texas Hill Country community,” he emphasized.

The foreclosure moratorium is effective immediately and applies to both FHA-insured forward mortgages and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) in the declared disaster area. During the 90-day window, mortgage servicers are prohibited from initiating or completing foreclosures on affected properties.

HUD said it has officials working with servicers to assess the extent of the damage and provide relief options to impacted homeowners.

Borrowers in the affected areas are encouraged to contact their mortgage servicer as soon as possible to explore available assistance. Homeowners can also reach out to the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-CALL-FHA (1-800-225-5342), including individuals with communication disabilities via Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).

Additional help is available through HUD-certified housing counselors, who can guide both homeowners and renters through disaster recovery options. To find an approved counseling agency, visit HUD’s housing counselor search tool or call 1-800-569-4287.

For homeowners whose properties were destroyed or severely damaged, FHA’s Section 203(h) loan program offers 100% financing to rebuild or purchase a new home. Those looking to buy or repair a damaged property may also qualify for assistance through FHA’s Section 203(k) program, which bundles the cost of purchase and renovation into a single loan.

The foreclosure relief is part of the federal government’s broader effort to stabilize and support communities reeling from one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 
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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

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Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

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CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties