Safeguard Properties

Various States Ease COVID-19 Consumer Protections

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 7, 2021

Source: Lexology

On Aug. 26,  the U.S. Supreme Court declared the CDC’s eviction order to be unconstitutional, in a 6-3 decision.

Similar to their federal counterparts, individual states vary on lifting or extending COVID-related moratoriums. Embedded is a comprehensive spreadsheet capturing the current orders, legislation, and policies on foreclosures and evictions.

The following list outlines current orders and legislation from California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Virginia, involving foreclosures and evictions in response to COVID-19.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster Nebraska Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
September 6, 2021

FEMA issued a  Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by severe storms and straight-line winds that took place July 9-10, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • BOX BUTTE
  • CASS
  • CLAY
  • DOUGLAS
  • FILLMORE
  • GRANT
  • HALL
  • HAMILTON
  • MADISON
  • SARPY
  • SAUNDERS
  • SHERIDAN
  • WASHINGTON
  • YORK

FEMA Declared Disaster Nebraska: ZIP Code List

Nebraska Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds (DR-4616)

County Map PDF

FEMA Declared Disaster Areas due to Remnants of Hurricane Ida

Posted on by Jennifer Anspach

FEMA Alert Update
September 3, 2021

FEMA issued a Disaster Declaration in areas of New York due to remnants of Hurricane Ida

Public Assistance
  • Bronx
  • Dutchess
  • Kings
  • Nassau
  • New York
  • Orange
  • Putman
  • Richmond
  • Rockland
  • Suffolk
  • Sullivan
  • Ulster
  • Westchester

New York Remnants of Hurricane Ida (EM-3572-NY)

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 3, 2021

FEMA issued a Disaster Declaration in all counties of New Jersey due remnants of Hurricane Ida

Public Assistance
  • Atlantic
  • Bergen
  • Burlington
  • Camden
  • Cape May
  • Cumberland
  • Essex
  • Gloucester
  • Hudson
  • Hunterdon
  • Mercer
  • Middlesex
  • Monmouth
  • Morris
  • Ocean
  • Passaic
  • Salem
  • Somerset
  • Sussex
  • Union
  • Warren

New Jersey Remnants of Hurricane Ida (EM-3572-NY)

 

Memphis Tennessee Utilizes Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Posted on by Jennifer Anspach

Industry Update
September 1, 2021

Source: NPR

In a courthouse in Memphis, Tenn., a full docket of cases means tenants are packed into eviction court – as much as social distancing will allow, and then a little more. When each tenant is called up for their case, Judge Phyllis Gardner asks this question: “Are you interested in the rental assistance program?”

For the tenants who show up to their court date, judges here regularly extend cases weeks into the future and nearly push them down the hall to Room 134, where Memphis Area Legal Services attorneys help tenants start applications for rental aid.

One of those attorneys, Freda Turner, stands up in the courtroom to talk about the program.

“If you apply and if you’re approved, we will pay up to 12 months of your back rent plus one month of future rent,” she explains. “We will bring you to zero, and you’ll get a fresh start.”

A stable home is the idea behind the $46 billion in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Appropriated by Congress to be distributed by states and localities, the federal aid means that even tenants facing deep rental debt have the chance to stay in their homes.

For full report, please click the source link above.

New York Issues Temporary Ban on Evictions

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 2, 2021

Source: NNY 360

ALBANY — New York’s temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures will continue through the beginning of next year, lawmakers decided Wednesday, arguing the state needs more time to distribute billions of dollars in relief to make tenants, small landlords, business and property owners whole amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives started hours of questioning and debate late Wednesday afternoon to review two bills to extend the state’s eviction moratorium, barring residential and commercial tenants who could not pay rent due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic, through Jan. 15, 2022.

Legislative leaders have worked to tweak the state law and program since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal moratorium on evictions late last week, ruling the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority during the ongoing public health crisis.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Boston Issues Eviction Moratorium, Citing COVID-19

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
September 1, 2021

Source: NBC 10 Boston
Additional Resource:  BG Daily News

Boston declared a moratorium on evictions in the city on Tuesday and is working to set up a $5 million fund to prevent foreclosures, officials announced.

The move comes less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal eviction moratorium, allowing evictions to resume.

“My housing stability agenda protects renters with a new eviction moratorium in the city of Boston,” Mayor Kim Janey said in an announcement video. “The loss of federal eviction protections and the ongoing pandemic has put our most vulnerable neighbors at risk of losing their homes.”

The eviction moratorium goes into effect immediately, temporarily preventing tenants from being kicked out by landlords and property owners, according to an announcement from the city.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

Freddie Mac July 2021 Monthly Summary

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
August 31, 2021

Source: Freddie Mac

Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) posted to its website its Monthly Volume Summary for July 2021.

Per Freddie Mac, overall delinquencies for single family loans is 1.74% in July 2021, vs 1.86% last month and 3.12% a year ago.

 

To access full summary, please click the source link above.

Fannie Mae July 2021 Monthly Summary

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
August 31, 2021

Source: Fannie Mae

Per Fannie Mae, overall serious delinquency for conventional single family loans is 1.94% in July 2021, vs 2.08% last month and 3.24% a year ago.

WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTCQB) July 2021 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae’s monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, serious delinquency rates, and loan modifications.

To access full announcement, please click the source link above.

Fannie Mae Issues Press Release for Hurricane Ida Assistance Options

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
August 30, 2021

Source: Fannie Mae

WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) is reminding those impacted by Hurricane Ida of available mortgage assistance and disaster relief options. Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages impacted by a natural disaster:

• Homeowners may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer following a disaster
• Mortgage servicers are authorized to offer forbearance for up to 90 days – even without establishing contact – if the servicer believes the homeowner was affected by the disaster
• Homeowners affected by a disaster are often eligible to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months
• During this temporary payment break:

○ Homeowners will not incur late fees
○ Foreclosure and other legal proceedings are suspended

• There are a number of options available to potentially help homeowners catch up on missed payments, including Disaster Payment Deferral

In addition, homeowners currently on a COVID-19-related forbearance plan who are subsequently impacted by the storm should contact their mortgage servicer to discuss options.

Fannie Mae also offers help navigating the broader financial effects of a disaster to homeowners with a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage and renters living in Fannie Mae-financed properties through its Disaster Response Network*, including:

• A needs assessment and personalized recovery plan
• Help requesting financial relief from FEMA, insurance, and other sources
• Web resources and ongoing guidance from experienced disaster relief advisors

Homeowners and renters can call 877-833-1746 to access Fannie Mae’s Disaster Response Network™* or other available resources free of charge.

“We urge everyone in the path of the storm to focus on their safety,” said Cyndi Danko, Vice President, Single-Family Risk Management, Fannie Mae. “Fannie Mae is committed to ensuring assistance is available to homeowners and renters in need and we encourage residents impacted by this storm to seek assistance as soon as possible.”

*Operated by Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions, a division of MMI, through its Project Porchlight program

To access full announcement, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster Mississippi and Louisiana Hurricane Ida

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert Update
August 30, 2021

FEMA issued an update to an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Ida that began on August 28, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • Adams
  • Alcorn
  • Amite
  • Attala
  • Benton
  • Bolivar
  • Calhoun
  • Carroll
  • Chickasaw
  • Choctaw
  • Claiborne
  • Clarke
  • Clay
  • Coahoma
  • Copiah
  • Covington
  • DeSoto
  • Forrest
  • Franklin
  • George
  • Greene
  • Grenada
  • Hancock
  • Harrison
  • Hinds
  • Holmes
  • Humphreys
  • Issaquena
  • Itawamba
  • Jackson
  • Jasper
  • Jefferson
  • Jefferson Davis
  • Davis
  • Jones
  • Kemper
  • Lafayette
  • Lamar
  • Lauderdale
  • Lawrence
  • Leake
  • Lee
  • Leflore
  • Lincoln
  • Lowndes
  • Madison
  • Marion
  • Marshall
  • Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation
  • Monroe
  • Montgomery
  • Neshoba
  • Newton
  • Noxubee
  • Oktibbeha
  • Panola
  • Pearl River
  • Perry
  • Pike
  • Pontotoc
  • Prentiss
  • Quitman
  • Rankin
  • Scott
  • Sharkey
  • Simpson
  • Smith
  • Stone
  • Sunflower
  • Tallahatchie
  • Tate
  • Tippah
  • Tishomingo
  • Tunica
  • Union
  • Walthall
  • Warren
  • Washington
  • Wayne
  • Webster
  • Wilkinson
  • Winston
  • Yalobusha
  • Yazoo

FEMA Declared Disaster Mississippi: ZIP Code List

Mississippi Hurricane Ida (EM-3569 Amendment 001)

58 Mississippi Counties Added to Hurricane Ida Emergency Declaration

 

FEMA Alert Update
August 29, 2021

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida that began on August 26, 2021.  All parishes have been approved for public assistance.  The following parishes have been approved for individual assistance:

Individual Assistance
  • Ascension
  • Assumption
  • East Baton Rouge
  • East Feliciana
  • Iberia
  • Iberville
  • Jefferson
  • Lafourche
  • Livingston
  • Orleans
  • Plaquemines
  • Pointe Coupee
  • St. Bernard
  • St. Charles
  • St. Helena
  • St. James
  • St. John the Baptist
  • St. Martin
  • St. Mary
  • St. Tammany
  • Tangipahoa
  • Terrebonne
  • Washington
  • West Baton Rouge
  • West Feliciana

FEMA Declared Disaster Louisiana: ZIP Code List

Louisiana Hurricane Ida (DR-4611)

 

FEMA Alert
August 28, 2021

FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Ida that began on August 28, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance
  • Adams
  • Amite
  • Covington
  • Forrest
  • Franklin
  • George
  • Greene
  • Hancock
  • Harrison
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Jefferson Davis
  • Jones
  • Lamar
  • Lawrence
  • Lincoln
  • Marion
  • Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation
  • Pearl River
  • Perry
  • Pike
  • Stone
  • Walthall
  • Wayne
  • Wilkinson

Mississippi Hurricane Ida (EM-3569)

 

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

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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