FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FEMA Alert
October 22, 2025

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Nebraska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding from August 8-10, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Burt
  • Douglas
  • Fillmore
  • Lancaster
  • Nemaha
  • Nuckolls
  • Saline
  • Saunders
  • Seward
  • Thayer
  • Washington
  • Webster

 

Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4896-NE)

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

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

Birmingham Residents Say Land Bank Information Sessions are Vital to Help with Vacant Properties

One Community Update
October 4, 2025

Source: wvtm13.com

The city of Birmingham is working to bring new life to properties abandoned by their previous owners.

Residents in the Fountain Heights neighborhood told WVTM 13 you can see the need for the Birmingham Land Bank all around. Neighbors said some lots have been vacant for as long as they can remember and hope someone will help clean up the place they call home.

Clarence Arnold said it’s frustrating to see abandoned properties like the one across the street from his house. Arnold said he moved in 30 years ago and the neighborhood used to be beautiful.

“If they would put homes in or on the property, maybe the person that buys the property will take more interest in it and keep it going,” Arnold said. “When I bought this property over here, it looked just like this property [across from me], but over time I got it all under control and it looked like somebody lived here.”

The Birmingham Land Bank has a plan to fix the issue. The organization will host virtual information sessions called Land Bank Live. The goal is to give people the information they need to buy the vacant properties and breathe life back into the community.

The land bank was started back in 2014 by the city. The goal was to keep properties that were abandoned from creating problems for neighbors. Since then, the organization has sold nearly 700 properties around the city, but there’s still some work to be done to help beautify some neighborhoods like Fountain Heights.

The land bank said interested buyers don’t just have to build houses or even renovate them. It wants to see empty lots used for parks, community gardens or even brick-and-mortar locations for small businesses. Staff said they just want people to have the tools they need to succeed.

“Make sure that your plan involves a licensed contractor,” Caroline Douglas, the executive director of the Birmingham Land Bank, said. “I can’t stress that enough. We want to protect you as well and make sure your investment doesn’t go to waste and also make sure that your funding is in place. Either you’ve got liquid funding or you have approved loans. We want to know what you have in place because everyone can start, but not everyone finishes.”

The land bank will host three sessions. There are 700 spots still open, and the land bank wants to see every spot filled.

You can find information on how to submit an application or to register for a seminar on the Land Bank website.

 

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

Killeen Councilman to Call for Land Banks as a Solution to Abandoned Properties

One Community Update
October 6, 2025

Source: kdhnews.com

Killeen Councilman Ramon Alvarez is expected to make a request that a land bank program be considered on a future City Council meeting agenda in light of abandoned properties within the city.

Alvarez says in a city document that he wants to “create and disseminate an RFP (request for proposal) to entities like the Center for Community Progress” and similar organizations and bring them back for future consideration “as expeditiously as possible.”

“Our city is facing a growing number of abandoned properties, mostly vacant and dilapidated,” Alvarez writes in his request, which is attached to Tuesday’s meeting agenda. “Other communities throughout Texas have utilized land banks, or similar alternatives, to help address the issue.”

Land bank programs would involve the city buying and selling abandoned properties.

This request comes a year after an internal audit found that the city of Killeen was losing $260,000 in revenue from abandoned properties, many of which were in the downtown Killeen revitalization area.

This included approximately $58,000 in lost property tax revenue from 37 tax delinquent properties and $200,000 in unreimbursed maintenance costs for code enforcement.

The report further detailed that the resulting blight from the abandoned properties had lowered the property values of the area from the citywide average of $246,000 to $109,000. The blight also contributed to a lower quality of life for people living in those areas.

The audit report, completed by City Auditor Matthew Grady, recommended acquiring and repurposing the land to address the neighborhood blight.

“While the City’s inventory of abandoned properties is comparatively small, it nonetheless could benefit from such a program by increasing its tax revenue, reducing its maintenance costs, and boosting its revitalization efforts,” the report reads.

Alvarez was not immediately available for comment. However, Mayor Debbie Nash-King said last year that the beautification of Killeen was a “top priority.”

“If buildings are abandoned, then the property owner must be accountable,” she said.

Thirty-seven properties were cited in Grady’s report, which at the time city officials didn’t consider large comparatively speaking to other cities. There was also disagreement among city officials, including Alvarez, on exactly how much money or revenue was being lost to abandoned properties.

KDH News has filed an open-records request on the number of abandoned properties and their location so it can provide updated information.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

Five Star’s Ed Delgado to Head Industry Panel at NPPC25

Safeguard in the News
October 13, 2025

Source: MortgagePoint

Industry veteran Ed Delgado, Chairman Emeritus of Five Star Global and Managing Director of Mortgage Policy Advisors has been selected to lead a group of prominent industry executives during the 2025 National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC25) on November 18, 2025 at the MGM National Harbor Resort, located in Washington D.C. With panel representation from Fannie Mae, Select Portfolio Servicing (SPS), Rocket Mortgage, US Bank, and Safeguard Properties, Delgado will host a session focused on the State of the Mortgage Industry, with panelists providing critical market insights and updates on best practices and policy.

“It is an honor to support The National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC) which is an essential gathering for the entire housing finance ecosystem.” Delgado said.

Formed in 2004, NPPC is a cornerstone event for mortgage executives and property preservation experts seeking to forge partnerships while shaping the policies and practices that support the health and security of the nation’s housing stock and ultimately, the American dream of homeownership.

“NPPC is an essential conference, because it brings together key industry stakeholders—including mortgage servicers, investors, government agencies and property preservation professionals—to collaboratively address the complex issues within the mortgage field services industry.” Delgado commented.

“Having Ed Delgado at the National Property Preservation Conference is invaluable. His decades of experience at the highest levels of mortgage banking and major financial institutions, provides the essential policy insight and Washington perspective the industry needs. He consistently challenges leaders to think strategically about compliance, risk, and the long-term health of the housing market, making his voice a critical one for shaping effective property preservation solutions.” said Alan Jaffa, CEO of Safeguard Properties, founder and host of NPPC.

In addition to Delgado, Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American Financial Corporation; Stanley C. Middleman, Founder, President & CEO, Freedom Mortgage; and Min Alexander, CEO & Founder, Bosscat Home Services and Technologies, will be appearing at NPPC as keynote speakers.

To learn more about NPPC25, which runs from November 17-19 in Washington D.C., you can visit the conference website at  nppconf.com.

Editor’s note: MortgagePoint serves as Media Sponsor for NPPC25.

 

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

Foreclosure Prevention, Refinance, and Federal Property Manager’s Report – July 2025

Industry Update
October 9, 2025

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

July 2025 Highlights – Foreclosure Prevention

The Enterprises’ Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

The Enterprises completed 17,929 foreclosure prevention actions in July 2025, bringing the total to 7,231,733 since the start of the conservatorships in September 2008.  Approximately 39 percent of these actions have been permanent loan modifications.

There were 8,089 permanent loan modifications in July 2025, bringing the total to 2,796,127 since the conservatorships began in September 2008.

Approximately 34 percent of loan modifications in July involved extend term only.  Modifications with principal forbearance accounted for 65 percent of all loan modifications during the month.

The number of borrowers who received payment deferrals after completing a forbearance plan increased from 5,735 in June to 6,275 in July 2025.

Initiated forbearance plans increased from 7,145 in June to 8,030 in July 2025.  However, the total number of loans in forbearance decreased from 34,713 at the end of June to 33,927 at the end of July 2025, representing approximately 0.11 percent of the total loans serviced and 6.6 percent of the total delinquent loans.

The Enterprises’ Mortgage Performance:

The 30-59-day delinquency rate decreased to 0.92 percent while the serious delinquency rate remained steady at 0.54 percent at the end of July 2025.

The Enterprises’ Foreclosures:

Third-party and foreclosure sales decreased slightly to 1,091 while foreclosure starts increased 11 percent to 8,073 in July 2025.

July 2025 Highlights – Refinance Activities

Total refinance volume decreased in July 2025 as mortgage rates remained elevated in June.  However, mortgage rates improved slightly in July, with the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage falling to 6.72 percent from 6.82 percent in June.

Cash-out refinances as a percentage of refinances increased from 62 percent in June to 65 percent in July 2025 after rising as high as 82 percent over the last three years.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

U.S. Foreclosure Rates by State – September 2025

Industry Update
October 10, 2025

Source: ATTOM

What Is the Current Foreclosure Rate in the U.S.?

In September 2025, foreclosure activity across the U.S. edged down slightly from the previous month but remained higher than a year ago.

Total filings: 35,602 properties with default notices, scheduled auctions, or bank repossessions

Monthly change: Down 0.3% from August 2025

Year-over-year change: Up 20% from September 2024

National rate: One in every 3,997 housing units had a foreclosure filing

States with the worst foreclosure rates: Florida, Delaware, Nevada, Indiana, and South Carolina

Foreclosure Starts and Completions

Starts: 23,761 U.S. properties began the foreclosure process in September 2025 — down 2% from August but up 20% year-over-year.

Completions (REOs): Lenders repossessed 3,780 U.S. properties, down 7% month-over-month but up 44% from September 2024.

What’s Driving September 2025 Foreclosure Trends?

Florida led the nation with the worst foreclosure rates during September 2025, followed closely by Delaware and Nevada with Indiana and South Carolina rounding out the top five worst rates. This mix of states from different regions across the country may suggest that rising foreclosure activity is not isolated to one area but rather reflects broader affordability pressures and financial strain affecting homeowners nationwide.

Foreclosure Rates by State – September 2025

Below is the complete state-by-state foreclosure ranking for September 2025.

  1. Florida – 1 in every 2,182 housing units (4,621 filings / 10,082,356 units)

Counties: Hardee, Highlands, Osceola

  1. Delaware – 1 in every 2,325 housing units (197 filings / 457,958 units)

Counties: Kent, New Castle, Sussex

  1. Nevada – 1 in every 2,417 housing units (541 filings / 1,307,338 units)

Counties: Lyon, Clark, Churchill

  1. Indiana – 1 in every 2,697 housing units (1,095 filings / 2,953,344 units)

Counties: Clinton, Vigo, Pulaski

  1. South Carolina – 1 in every 2,883 housing units (833 filings / 2,401,638 units)

Counties: Lexington, Kershaw, Allendale

  1. Illinois – 1 in every 2,883 housing units (1,888 filings / 5,443,501 units)

Counties: Montgomery, Marshall, Rock Island

  1. Utah – 1 in every 3,075 housing units (388 filings / 1,193,082 units)

Counties: Iron, Tooele, Box Elder

  1. Ohio – 1 in every 3,114 housing units (1,693 filings / 5,271,573 units)

Counties: Huron, Cuyahoga, Highland

  1. Iowa – 1 in every 3,222 housing units (443 filings / 1,427,175 units)

Counties: Clay, Hancock, Cedar

  1. Texas – 1 in every 3,313 housing units (3,589 filings / 11,890,808 units)

Counties: Liberty, Johnson, Martin

  1. Maryland – 1 in every 3,314 housing units (768 filings / 2,545,532 units)

Counties: Caroline, Charles, Baltimore City

  1. California – 1 in every 3,514 housing units (4,136 filings / 14,532,683 units)

Counties: Mendocino, Shasta, Sonoma

  1. Georgia – 1 in every 3,584 housing units (1,251 filings / 4,483,873 units)

Counties: Decatur, Mcduffie, Haralson

  1. New Jersey – 1 in every 3,814 housing units (990 filings / 3,775,842 units)

Counties: Cumberland, Salem, Sussex

  1. North Carolina – 1 in every 3,937 housing units (1,223 filings / 4,815,195 units)

Counties: Jones, Lee, Cleveland

  1. Pennsylvania – 1 in every 4,093 housing units (1,412 filings / 5,779,663 units)

Counties: Philadelphia, Berks, Venango

  1. Michigan – 1 in every 4,220 housing units (1,090 filings / 4,599,683 units)

Counties: Montmorency, Muskegon, Sanilac

  1. Alabama – 1 in every 4,234 housing units (547 filings / 2,316,192 units)

Counties: Mobile, Jefferson, Montgomery

  1. Arizona – 1 in every 4,264 housing units (737 filings / 3,142,443 units)

Counties: Pinal, Graham, Cochise

  1. Connecticut – 1 in every 4,609 housing units (332 filings / 1,530,197 units)

Counties: Windham, New London, New Haven

  1. Louisiana – 1 in every 4,706 housing units (445 filings / 2,094,002 units)

Counties: Plaquemines, Ascension, Iberville

  1. New York – 1 in every 5,020 housing units (1,701 filings / 8,539,536 units)

Counties: Orange, Cayuga, Nassau

  1. Colorado – 1 in every 5,215 housing units (488 filings / 2,545,124 units)

Counties: Washington, Rio Grande, Lake

  1. Alaska – 1 in every 5,406 housing units (59 filings / 318,927 units)

Counties: Haines, Petersburg Census Area, Northwest Arctic

  1. Wyoming – 1 in every 5,503 housing units (50 filings / 275,131 units)

Counties: Uinta, Goshen, Natrona

  1. Virginia – 1 in every 5,895 housing units (620 filings / 3,654,784 units)

Counties: Galax City, Covington City, Charlotte

  1. Maine – 1 in every 6,221 housing units (120 filings / 746,552 units)

Counties: Oxford, Waldo, Somerset

  1. Washington – 1 in every 6,274 housing units (520 filings / 3,262,667 units)

Counties: Grays Harbor, Pierce, Lewis

  1. New Mexico – 1 in every 6,640 housing units (143 filings / 949,524 units)

Counties: Union, Eddy, Roosevelt

  1. Oklahoma – 1 in every 6,653 housing units (265 filings / 1,763,036 units)

Counties: Logan, Muskogee, Canadian

  1. Massachusetts – 1 in every 6,655 housing units (453 filings / 3,014,657 units)

Counties: Franklin, Dukes, Hampden

  1. Arkansas – 1 in every 6,983 housing units (198 filings / 1,382,664 units)

Counties: Arkansas, Sharp, Lawrence

  1. New Hampshire – 1 in every 7,239 housing units (89 filings / 644,253 units)

Counties: Coos, Sullivan, Cheshire

  1. Hawaii – 1 in every 7,242 housing units (78 filings / 564,905 units)

Counties: Hawaii, Kauai, Honolulu

  1. Missouri – 1 in every 7,433 housing units (378 filings / 2,809,501 units)

Counties: Linn, Harrison, Saint Francois

  1. Idaho – 1 in every 7,615 housing units (102 filings / 776,683 units)

Counties: Oneida, Bear Lake, Washington

  1. Kentucky – 1 in every 7,616 housing units (264 filings / 2,010,655 units)

Counties: Hancock, Carroll, Lyon

  1. Tennessee – 1 in every 7,817 housing units (396 filings / 3,095,472 units)

Counties: Decatur, Hancock, Lake

  1. North Dakota – 1 in every 7,976 housing units (47 filings / 374,866 units)

Counties: Dickey, Mercer, Sargent

  1. Wisconsin – 1 in every 8,162 housing units (337 filings / 2,750,750 units)

Counties: Washington, Racine, Douglas

  1. Nebraska – 1 in every 8,307 housing units (103 filings / 855,631 units)

Counties: Greeley, Hitchcock, Nemaha

  1. Oregon – 1 in every 8,714 housing units (211 filings / 1,838,631 units)

Counties: Sherman, Crook, Harney

  1. Minnesota – 1 in every 9,031 housing units (279 filings / 2,519,538 units)

Counties: Grant, Kanabec, Mille Lacs

  1. Rhode Island – 1 in every 9,890 housing units (49 filings / 484,615 units)

Counties: Kent, Providence, Washington

  1. Montana – 1 in every 11,126 housing units (47 filings / 522,939 units)

Counties: Mineral, Fallon, Toole

  1. Mississippi – 1 in every 11,200 housing units (119 filings / 1,332,811 units)

Counties: Copiah, Jasper, Winston

  1. Kansas – 1 in every 12,011 housing units (107 filings / 1,285,221 units)

Counties: Anderson, Morton, Rush

  1. West Virginia – 1 in every 17,193 housing units (50 filings / 859,653 units)

Counties: Gilmer, Braxton, Pendleton

  1. Vermont – 1 in every 42,134 housing units (8 filings / 337,072 units)

Counties: Essex, Rutland, Caledonia

  1. South Dakota – 1 in every 49,863 housing units (8 filings / 398,903 units)

Counties: Essex, Rutland, Caledonia

Conclusion

Foreclosure activity continued its upward trend versus year ago in September 2025, with both starts and completions posting annual increases. ATTOM provides a state-by-state ranking, starting with the state with the worst foreclosure rate, along with the top counties driving activity in each state.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases Annually in Q3 2025

Industry Update
October 7, 2025

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, today released its Q3 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 101,513 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filings during the third quarter of 2025, up less than 1 percent from the previous quarter and up 17 percent from a year ago.

The report also shows a total of 35,602 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in September 2025, down 0.3 percent from the previous month and up 20 percent from a year ago.

“In 2025, we’ve seen a consistent pattern of foreclosure activity trending higher, with both starts and completions posting year-over-year increases for consecutive quarters,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While these figures remain within a historically reasonable range, the persistence of this trend could be an early indicator of emerging borrower strain in some areas.”

Foreclosure starts increase nationwide

A total of 72,317 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in Q3 2025, up 2 percent from the previous quarter and up 16 percent from a year ago.

States that had the greatest number of foreclosure starts in third quarter of 2025 included: Texas (9,736 foreclosure starts); Florida (8,909 foreclosure starts); California (7,862 foreclosure starts); Illinois (3,515 foreclosure starts); and New York (3,234 foreclosure starts).

Those major metros with a population of 200,000 or more that had the greatest number of foreclosures starts in Q3 2025 included Houston, Texas (3,763 foreclosure starts); New York, New York (3,452 foreclosure starts); Chicago, Illinois (3,144 foreclosure starts); Miami, Florida (2,502 foreclosure starts); and Los Angeles, California (2,321 foreclosure starts).

Worst foreclosure rates in Florida, Nevada, and South Carolina

Nationwide one in every 1,402 housing units had a foreclosure filing in Q3 2025. States with the worst foreclosure rates were Florida (one in every 814 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Nevada (one in every 831 housing units); South Carolina (one in every 867 housing units); Illinois (one in every 944 housing units); and Delaware (one in every 974 housing units).

Among 225 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the worst foreclosure rates in Q3 2025 were Lakeland, Florida (one in every 470 housing units); Columbia, South Carolina (one in 506); Cape Coral, Florida (one in 589); Cleveland, Ohio (one in 593); and Ocala, Florida (one in 665).

Other major metros with a population of at least 1 million, including Cleveland at No. 4, and foreclosure rates in the top 20 worst nationwide, included Jacksonville, Florida at No.6; Las Vegas, Nevada at No.9; Houston, Texas at No. 14; and Orlando, Florida at No. 17.

Bank repossessions increase 33 percent from year ago

Lenders repossessed 11,723 U.S. properties through foreclosure (REO) in Q3 2025, up 4 percent from the previous quarter and up 33 percent from a year ago.

Those states that had the greatest number of REOs in Q3 2025 were Texas (1,288 REOs); California (1,132 REOs); Florida (762 REOs); Pennsylvania (708 REOs); and New York (644 REOs).

Average time to foreclose decreases 25 percent from last year

Properties foreclosed in Q3 2025 had been in the foreclosure process for an average of 608 days. This represents a 6 percent decrease from the previous quarter and a 25 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 Q3 2025 were Louisiana (3,632 days); Nevada (2,667 days); Rhode Island (1,929 days); New York (1,867 days); and Hawaii (1,710 days).

States with the shortest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q3 2025 were West Virginia (135 days); Texas (154 days); Virginia (160 days); Wyoming (165 days); and Montana (174 days).

September 2025 Foreclosure Activity High-Level Takeaways

Nationwide in September 2025, one in every 3,997 properties had a foreclosure filing.

States with the highest foreclosure rates in September 2025 were Florida (one in every 2,182 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Delaware (one in every 2,325 housing units); Nevada (one in every 2,417 housing units); Indiana (one in every 2,697 housing units); and South Carolina (one in every 2,883 housing units).

23,761 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in September 2025, down 2 percent from the previous month and up 20 percent from September 2024.

Lenders completed the foreclosure process on 3,780 U.S. properties in September 2025, down 7 percent from the previous month and up 44 percent from September 2024.

Report conclusion

Foreclosure activity continued its gradual upward trend in Q3 2025, with both starts and completions posting annual increases. While overall levels remain relatively low by historical standards, the consistency of these gains over consecutive quarters highlights a market that may be slowly shifting amid broader economic pressures.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Fannie and Freddie: Delinquency Rates in August

Industry Update
September 29, 2025

Source: CalculatedRisk Newsletter

Freddie Mac reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate in August was 0.56%, up from 0.55% July. Freddie’s rate is up year-over-year from 0.52% in August 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 August was 0.53%, unchanged from 0.53% in July. The serious delinquency rate is up year-over-year from 0.50% in August 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), 1.35% are seriously delinquent (up from 1.33% the previous month).

For loans made in 2005 through 2008 (1% of portfolio), 1.93% are seriously delinquent (up from 1.90%).

For recent loans, originated in 2009 through 2025 (98% of portfolio), 0.49% are seriously delinquent (up from 0.48%). 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.

 

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Washington Sugarloaf Fire

FEMA Alert
September 26, 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 Lower Sugarloaf Fire on September 25, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Chelan

 

Washington Sugarloaf Fire (FM-5614-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

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declaration – Hawaii Holomua Fire

FEMA Alert
September 23, 2025

FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Hawaii to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Holomua Fire on September 23, 2025.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

  • Maui

 

Hawaii Holomua Fire (FM-5613-FI)

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

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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