OSU Extension and AmeriCorps partner to help rural homeowners in financial distress
Economically vulnerable residents in Ashtabula County will benefit from a new OSU Extension and AmeriCorps program designed help struggling homeowners with our country’s mortgage crisis. The Ashtabula County Extension office is pleased to be selected as one of the host sites for two AmeriCorps volunteers who will provide community outreach and family-based coaching beginning in August 2012. The goal of the program is to help improve the long-term security of economically vulnerable homeowners in rural, Ohio.
Ohio is one of the hardest hit states in the country for mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures: one in every six Ohio mortgage holders is either 30 days delinquent or in foreclosure. The fastest growth in foreclosure rates is found in Ohio’s rural areas. However, these counties lack the capacity and financial resources to engage in meaningful foreclosure prevention outreach efforts. To help, twenty AmeriCorps volunteers will be placed in Ohio State University Extension offices in eleven counties around the state to support loss mitigation programs.
Housing Corps is currently taking applications from college graduates for 20 AmeriCorps members who will be employed from August 15, 2012 until June 7, 2013. The AmeriCorps members will serve 1,700 hours during their 10.5 months of service and will be provided a living allowance and a federal education award up to $5,550 to repay qualified student loans and to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education and training programs for successful completion of the service term. More information about this program or to apply for one of the positions can be found at: http://ehe.osu.edu/news/2012/americorps-aids-homeowners.php
