Page 18 – Safeguard Properties

State Funded Program Increasing Local Housing Options

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 9, 2025

The City of Youngstown is beginning to see the benefits of the new Welcome Home Ohio program.

The program includes funding for the construction and rehabilitation of residential properties, and the Mahoning County Land Bank and Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) are taking full advantage of it.

Representatives of both organizations showed WKBN the progress of a renovation that is currently underway at 3551 Shirley Road.

The property was among those identified as vacant and tax-delinquent during a citywide survey released in 2023. YNDC was able to purchase the property during a sheriff’s sale and received funding through the Welcome Home program to purchase and help renovate it.

“Those dollars were really critical to us being able to push this forward and in a fairly fast timeframe, I would say,” Debora Flora, executive director of the Mahoning County Land Bank.

YNDC Executive Director Ian Beniston said the funding allows them to sell the property for an affordable price to a person who will live in the home.

As part of the Welcome Home Ohio requirements, the Lank Bank cannot sell the home for more than $180,000, and the property must be sold to an individual who earns not more than 80% of the local median income at the time of sale for 20 years after the date of purchase. Buyers must live in the home for five years or face a penalty.

Through the program, buyers will receive homebuyer counseling.

Beniston said through YNDC’s other partnerships, buyers can also receive downpayment assistance, possibly up to $28,000.

“The idea is not for someone to buy this and then flip it themselves and make it a rental. The idea is that for at least 20 years, this is going to be an affordable homeownership opportunity for a family or multiple families if it’s sold,” he said.

YNDC and the Land Bank have been working together for some time to eliminate blight, which has created vacant lots across the city. With the available funding, there is now an opportunity to rebuild in those areas.

They are working on six rehab homes through Welcome Home Ohio right now, six new builds are wrapping up, and 19 new builds are starting soon.

Beniston also discussed progress on a project to build six new homes on Mineral Springs Avenue. The Land Bank acquired the vacant land years ago but there hadn’t been an opportunity to rebuild the area until recently. The project included removing the blight and rebuilding the area from the ground up.

“This is kind of a special moment if we look back on the last 20 years of starting to get some more momentum, and something that we’ve been, I think, looking forward to and building toward for a decade,” Beniston said.

Beniston said all of the homes will be listed with a realtor, and there is typically a lot of interest in them. Buyers will need to have a realtor but can contact YNDC with interest in a particular property to be added to a list for notification when it is listed

“Generally speaking, I think these are the best deals on the market. When you look at it, we’re going to be selling brand-new, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, newly constructed houses for $180,000. There’s nowhere in the five-county region that you’re going to be seeing that type of product on the market for that price,” Beniston said.

Vacant homes under renovation through Welcome Home Ohio in Youngstown include the following:

3551 Shirley Road

734 W LaClede

870 Canfield Road

3222 Sheridan Road

2502 Stocker

4340 Helena

Flora said there are a couple of Welcome Home Ohio-funded projects in the works in other areas as well.

Other homes that YNDC is working on include the following:

844 W Indianola

741 Sherwood

734 W LaClede

870 Canfield

3222 Sheridan

3310 Sheridan

2502 Stocker

4340 Helena

3551 Shirley

512 Clearmont

733 Lake

2653 Pearce

2655 Pearce

2657 Pearce

818 Billingsgate

On Thursday, YNDC also plans to break ground on phase two of a project to build three new duplexes on Glenwood Avenue. That project is funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Affordable Housing Program, Mahoning County and the Raymond John Wean Foundation.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Construction and Rehab Underway for Two New Housing Initiatives Through Cuyahoga Land Bank

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 11, 2025

Source: www.signalcleveland.org

Cuyahoga Land Bank CEO Ricardo León presented updates to the Board of Directors on two major neighborhood revitalization programs at the board’s March 28 meeting.

The Cuyahoga Land Bank is a partner in the City of Cleveland’s Southeast Side Initiative. Around $1.25 million was allocated to cover three in-house modernizations and to establish a grant program that would cover gap financing for a minimum of seven rehab homes in targeted Southeast Side communities with up to $82,000 in funding for each home.

“Our director of real estate met with the local CDCs in the last couple of weeks just to kind of get an understanding of the development capacity within the neighborhood, or trends, or things that are happening,” León said.

Land Bank Communications Director Rachel Trem explained that the term “gap financing” as used in the meeting is “a grant provided by the Land Bank to a builder that closes the ‘gap’ between how much it costs to build a house and the sales price the builder is able to receive for the house from a buyer.”

The Legacy Communities Revitalization Program will use $10 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to create 54 new housing units in the South Collinwood-Euclid Green area, the Central neighborhood, and the MetroHealth campus area of Clark-Fulton. Thirty units will be new construction, while the other 24 are rehabs. Construction is already underway on six units, including two on the Scranton corridor near West 18th Street.

The neighborhoods were identified by the need for housing, said León, and are “where we can move the needle on that market.”

All 54 homes will also seek to benefit from gap grant financing. One participant at the meeting expressed concern that financing amounts seemed higher than what is typical for Cleveland.

“The cost to build a house is the same whether you are building in a challenged or robust housing market,” explained Trem. “The more challenged the market, the greater the ‘gap’ between the cost of and sales price of a house.”

Brownfield cleanup grants could bring, retain local jobs

Cuyahoga Land Bank staff said the agency applied for about $46.5 million in brownfield grant funds from the state in February, adding that these projects could result in 2,000 new jobs in the area and retaining nearly 800 jobs.

A “brownfield” is a piece of land that’s been damaged by contamination from use as an industrial or commercial site. The United States began prioritizing brownfields for cleanup in the 1990s.

The Gus Frangos Act moves through state legislature

A bill named after Cuyahoga Land Bank founder Gus Frangos, HB 86, is currently making its way through the Ohio Legislature.

Said Trem, “This bill [and SB 102] improves Ohio’s existing laws concerning land banking and tax foreclosure by increasing protections for owners of tax foreclosed properties, clarifying ambiguities and inconstancies in those laws, and generally enhancing a County Land Bank’s ability to prevent vacant and abandoned properties from continuing the foreclosure cycle.”

The Cuyahoga Land Bank has more than 1,400 parcels in their inventory, including 618 in Cleveland.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Ginnie Mae Welcomes Joseph M. Gormley as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 16, 2025

Source: Ginnie Mae

Ginnie Mae welcomes Joseph M. Gormley as its new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). With extensive experience in housing policy and financial services, Gormley will oversee Ginnie Mae’s mission to support stability in the nation’s housing markets.

Gormley’s track record demonstrates his housing finance expertise and commitment to public service. In a prior stint in federal government service, Gormley held several senior roles at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary.

Beyond his service at HUD, Gormley held roles at the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) as Assistant Vice President and Regulatory Counsel, as well as at the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“I am very happy to see Joe Gormley take the helm at Ginnie Mae as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “With Ginnie Mae’s central role in mortgage financing, his leadership will bring stability and strength to this segment of the housing market.”

As EVP and COO, Gormley will lead Ginnie Mae’s strategic initiatives, operational functions, and risk-management efforts, ensuring that the organization remains focused so that its programs are delivered efficiently, responsibly, and sustainably.

“I am honored to join Ginnie Mae and contribute to its important mission,” said Gormley. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team at the agency to strengthen and enhance the role of the MBS program in serving homeowners and renters across the country.”

Gormley’s appointment reinforces Ginnie Mae’s commitment to maintaining a strong U.S. housing finance system. His experience and vision will be critical in advancing Ginnie Mae’s goals and delivering on its promise to provide stability and affordability to the nation’s housing market.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Top 10 U.S. Housing Markets with Most Foreclosure Starts in March 2025

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 11, 2025

Source: ATTOM

According to ATTOM’s newly released Q1 and March 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there were a total of 35,890 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March 2025. That figure was up 11 percent from February 2025 and up 9 percent from March 2024.

The foreclosure market report also shows that 93,953 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing during the first quarter of 2025 — an 11 percent increase from the previous quarter but a 2 percent decrease compared to a year ago.

The analysis stated that nationwide, one in every 1,515 housing units had a foreclosure filing in Q1 2025. The states with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 761 housing units), Illinois (one in 857), Nevada (one in 874), Indiana (one in 976), and South Carolina (one in 1,021).

The report found that in Q1 2025, foreclosure starts were initiated on 68,794 U.S. properties — a 14 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 2 percent rise year-over-year. Among metro areas with a population of 200,000 or more, those with the highest number of foreclosure starts in Q1 2025 were Chicago, IL (3,789 foreclosure starts), New York, NY (3,566), Houston, TX (3,046), Miami, FL (2,028), and Philadelphia, PA (1,985).

ATTOM’s latest foreclosure activity analysis found that In March 2025, one in every 3,965 properties across the U.S. had a foreclosure filing. The report noted that in March 2025 the States with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 2,256 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Nevada (one in every 2,274 housing units); Illinois (one in every 2,484 housing units); Indiana (one in every 2,505 housing units); and Connecticut (one in every 2,616 housing units).

Also according to the report, in March 2025, foreclosure starts were reported on 25,070 U.S. properties — a 10 percent increase from the prior month and 8 percent higher than March 2024. Lenders completed foreclosures on 3,687 properties during the month, marking a 22 percent rise from February and a 37 percent jump compared to a year ago.

In this post, we dive deep into the data behind ATTOM’s Q1 and March 2025 foreclosure report to uncover the top 10 U.S. larger metro areas with the greatest number of foreclosure starts in March 2025. Those metros with populations over 200,000 included: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI (1,254 foreclosure starts); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (1,202 foreclosure starts); Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX (1,064 foreclosure starts); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (805 foreclosure starts); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (691 foreclosure starts); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (619 foreclosure starts); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (522 foreclosure starts); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (499 foreclosure star02ts); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (465 foreclosure starts); and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (463 foreclosure starts).

For full report, please click the source link above.

Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Decreases Slightly to .36% in March

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 21, 2025

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) monthly Loan Monitoring Survey revealed that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 2 basis points from 0.38% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior month to 0.36% as of March 31, 2025. According to MBA’s estimate, 180,000 homeowners are in forbearance plans. Mortgage servicers have provided approximately 8.6 million forbearances since March 2020.

The share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in forbearance decreased 2 basis points to 0.13% in March 2025. Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance decreased by 1 basis points to 0.83%, and the forbearance share for portfolio loans and private-label securities (PLS) decreased 4 basis points to 0.33%.

“Overall mortgage performance improved in March, with more borrowers making their mortgage payments and fewer borrowers in forbearance and loan workouts compared to the prior month,” said MBA’s Vice President of Industry Analysis Marina Walsh, CMB. “This monthly improvement may be tied to several factors such as receipt of tax refunds and homeowner recovery from natural disasters.”

Added Walsh, “The labor market is relatively healthy, which is helping mortgage performance remain strong. However, compared to one year ago, there are fewer borrowers current on their mortgages. Also, more borrowers in loan workouts – particularly those with FHA loans – are having difficulty staying current.”

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – North Carolina Sam Davis Road Fire

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 20, 2025

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

Public Assistance:

Swain

North Carolina Sam Davis Road Fire (FM-5580-NC)

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 – New Mexico Rio Grande Fire

Posted on April 21, 2025April 22, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 18, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of New Mexico to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Rio Grande Fire on April 17, 2025. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

Valencia

New Mexico Rio Grande Fire (FM-5579-NM)

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

HUD Extends Foreclosure Relief to More than One Million FHA Borrowers Recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 8, 2025

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is extending by an additional 90 days its existing foreclosure moratoriums on FHA-insured single family mortgages in the Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas (PDMDAs) resulting from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The extensions provide more time for impacted American families in devastated areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to seek Federal, state, or local assistance and underscore HUD’s commitment to supporting Americans impacted by the hurricanes.

“Individuals and families across the Southeast are still putting pieces of their livelihoods back together following back-to-back hurricanes this Fall,” Secretary Turner said. “HUD remains committed to the long-term recovery of these impacted communities. Today’s action will allow more flexibility as our fellow Americans continue working to stabilize their families, properties and communities.”

The FHA insures over one million single family mortgages in the Helene and Milton PDMDAs.

The moratoriums prohibit mortgage servicers from initiating or completing foreclosure actions on FHA-insured single family forward or Home Equity Conversion mortgages in the Hurricane Helene and Milton PDMDAs through July 10, 2025. This is the second extension of the moratoriums, which were most recently set to expire on April 11, 2025.

“As Western North Carolina works to recover from the devastation left by Helene, it is crucial that we provide families with the support they need to restore their homes and rebuild their lives. Extending the foreclosure moratoriums offers vital time and flexibility for borrowers to access critical assistance, ensuring that no family is left behind as they work to recover and move forward,” Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said.

“Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding displaced thousands of North Carolinians and caused a staggering $12.7 billion in residential damage. Over 100,000 homes were left damaged or destroyed, upending families across Western North Carolina. As we work towards recovery, I commend President Trump and Secretary Turner for taking decisive action to extend protections for homeowners in the areas hit hardest by this disaster. Together, we will continue to provide resources and relief for Western North Carolina,” Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) said.

“Families in Tennessee whose homes were destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Helene will benefit from much-needed relief thanks to the Housing and Urban Development’s extended foreclosure moratorium. This support from HUD provides the state’s hardest-hit communities with additional time to secure assistance and rebuild,” Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.

“I thank Secretary Turner and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for putting Florida homeowners first with their extension of foreclosure relief. As the Suncoast continues to rebuild from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida families deserve our full support as we recover from the devastating impact of natural disasters. This extension from HUD is a critical step in helping our communities stay housed while they recover. I appreciate HUD’s continued attention to the needs of Floridians as we work together to rebuild stronger than before,” Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL-17) said.

“Hurricane Helene left widespread damage across the 12th District, with many Georgians still in the process of rebuilding. I am grateful for Secretary Turner’s commitment to supporting Georgia families by extending the existing foreclosure moratoriums on FHA-insured single-family mortgages for an additional 90 days. This announcement will provide borrowers with additional flexibility and relief as recovery efforts continue in heavily impacted communities,” Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) said.

“Helene decimated communities in Southwest Virginia and altered the housing situations of countless families. I am glad Secretary Turner is taking appropriate action by granting a 90-day extension of the existing foreclosure moratorium on FHA-insured single-family mortgages to alleviate the financial and housing burdens caused by Helene,” Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) said.

“HUD’s halt on foreclosures for single family mortgages that are insured by the FHA is welcome news for Western North Carolinians whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Helene. This extension provides disaster victims more time to seek and obtain the necessary financial assistance to rebuild their lives. I will continue to work closely with the administration to anticipate and advocate for the needs of our mountain folk throughout the disaster recovery process,” Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) said.

For full report, please click the source link above.

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases Quarterly in Q1 2025

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 9, 2025

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, today released its Q1 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 93,953 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filings during the first quarter of 2025, up 11 percent from the previous quarter but down 2 percent from a year ago.

The report also shows a total of 35,890 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March 2025, up 11 percent from the previous month and up 9 percent from a year ago.

“Following three consecutive quarters of decline, foreclosure activity ticked up in the first quarter of 2025, with notable growth in both starts and completions,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While levels remain below historical averages, the quarterly growth suggests that some homeowners may be starting to feel the pressure of ongoing economic challenges. However, strong home equity positions in many markets continue to help buffer against a more significant spike in distress.”

Foreclosure starts increase nationwide

A total of 68,794 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in Q1 2025, up 14 percent from the previous quarter and up 2 percent from a year ago.

States that had 100 or more foreclosures starts in Q1 2025 and saw the greatest annual increase included, Kansas (up 117 percent); Delaware (up 58 percent); Oklahoma (up 45 percent); Utah (up 42 percent); and Wyoming (up 33 percent).

Those major metros with a population of 200,000 or more that had the greatest number of foreclosures starts in Q1 2025 included Chicago, IL (3,789 foreclosure starts); New York, NY (3,566 foreclosure starts); Houston, TX (3,046 foreclosure starts); Miami, FL (2,028 foreclosure starts); and Philadelphia, PA (1,985 foreclosure starts).

Highest foreclosure rates in Delaware, Illinois, and Nevada

Nationwide one in every 1,515 housing units had a foreclosure filing in Q1 2025. States with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 761 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Illinois (one in every 857 housing units); Nevada (one in every 874 housing units); Indiana (one in every 976 housing units); and South Carolina (one in every 1,021 housing units).

Among 225 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the highest foreclosure rates in Q1 2025 were Columbia, South Carolina (one in every 683 housing units); Lakeland, Florida (one in 694); Bakersfield, California (one in 718); Riverside, California (one in 721); and Chico, California (one in 724).

Other major metros with a population of at least 1 million, including Riverside at No. 4, and foreclosure rates in the top 15 highest nationwide, included Chicago, Illinois at No.6; Las Vegas, Nevada at No.7; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at No. 13; and Indianapolis, Indiana at No. 14.

Bank repossessions increase 8 percent from last quarter

Lenders repossessed 9,691 U.S. properties through foreclosure (REO) in Q1 2025, up 8 percent from the previous quarter but down 4 percent from a year ago.

Those states that had the greatest number of REOs in Q1 2025 were California (944 REOs); Texas (938 REOs); Illinois (712 REOs); Pennsylvania (711 REOs); and Michigan (665 REOs).

Average time to foreclose decreases 12 percent from previous quarter

Properties foreclosed in Q1 2025 had been in the foreclosure process for an average of 671 days. This represents a 12 percent decrease from the previous quarter and a 9 percent decrease from the same time last year, continuing a downward trajectory observed since mid-2020.

States with the longest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q1 2025 were Louisiana (3,038 days); Hawaii (2,274 days); Kentucky (1,993 days); Wisconsin (1,952 days); and New York (1,910 days).

States with the shortest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q1 2025 were New Hampshire (110 days); Texas (116 days); Wyoming (136 days); Minnesota (139 days); and Rhode Island (149 days).

March 2025 Foreclosure Activity High-Level Takeaways

Nationwide in March 2025, one in every 3,965 properties had a foreclosure filing.

States with the highest foreclosure rates in March 2025 were Delaware (one in every 2,256 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Nevada (one in every 2,274 housing units); Illinois (one in every 2,484 housing units); Indiana (one in every 2,505 housing units); and Connecticut (one in every 2,616 housing units).

25,070 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in March 2025, up 10 percent from the previous month and up 8 percent from March 2024.

Lenders completed the foreclosure process on 3,687 U.S. properties in March 2025, up 22 percent from the previous month and up 37 percent from March 2024.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Virginia Severe Winter Storms and Flooding

Posted on April 9, 2025May 2, 2025 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 4, 2025

***LAST UPDATE: 5/2/25***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Virginia to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe winter storms and flooding from February 10-18, 2025. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance: