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INFORMATION HRSR 06-06-2011w ~. FOR RELEASE CONTACT: Jackie Nelson LSS Communications Office 651.969.2286 jackie.nelson(a~lssmn.org LSS FINANCIAL COUNSELING JOINS NEW STATEWIDE EFFORT TO PREVENT FORECLOSURES (May 5, 2011) -Homeowners with Fannie Mae loans that are struggling to meet their monthly mortgage payments have a new service available to them that will accelerate and improve the process for seeking a loan modification or other resolution. It's part of a new partnership between Fannie Mae and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, two organizations working with housing counseling providers statewide to facilitate this first-of-its-kind service nationwide. LSS Financial Counseling Service, the largest statewide provider of foreclosure prevention counseling in Minnesota, has already helped several homeowners with Fannie Mae loans find a fast and workable resolution for their unique situations. "This is a big step forward for many Minnesota homeowners who are falling behind or facing foreclosure and don't have time to wait for lengthy resolutions," explained Ruth Hutchins, housing counseling supervisor with LSS Financial Counseling Service. "Using a new tool to facilitate loan modification applications and other resolutions, we can find the best solutions within weeks, walk homeowners through the process with greater ease, and reduce their frustration and anxiety." Foreclosure prevention counselors will involve Fannie Mae, the loan owner, also known as the investor, in the loan mortgage workout process at the outset of a request for help. Through the partnership, they will have direct access to local Fannie Mae staff solely dedicated to making loan solutions faster and easier for area homeowners with Fannie Mae loans. Previously, foreclosure counselors and homeowners worked with a lender or servicer's loss mitigation department for months to secure a loan modification and prevent foreclosure. "Since the foreclosure crisis began in 2007, Minnesota's Homeownership Advisors Network has helped more than 44,000 Minnesota households navigate the loan modification process and many times, prevent foreclosure," said Julie Gugin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Home Ownership Center. "We expect that our partnership with Fannie Mae will allow LSS Financial Counseling Service and others across the state to serve more homeowners better and faster, and ultimately help prevent even more foreclosures in Minnesota." LSS Financial Counseling Service - a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the oldest and most respected credit counseling organization in the country - helps 20,000 households each year gain control of their finances and achieve financial wellness. Often, families experiencing mortgage foreclosure issues have financial challenges that cause them to dip into their credit cards, creating an additional financial debt burden. LSS can also offers a safe and effective debt management option that can help individuals and families reduce their debt and regain peace of mind. To set up an appointment for housing counseling or financial counseling with a certified counseling professional through LSS Financial Counseling Service, call 1.888.577.2227 or visit www.lssmn.org/debt To find out if your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae, check with your mortgage servicer, use the Fannie Mae Loan Lookup tool at http://www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup, or Call Fannie Mae at 1-800-7FANNIE (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST). -30- ~~tES~~~A'CE~t~f _ - ~E.LEA~~~ .:,, 5 ~!~ 4 _ - ~tt~hi~5®T~ ~'°_ L ~" '~ r , ~' , ` 'r f ": ~ n ~: 3 s ~ .. 4 l ~}} 1r }~ ~ ft t ~ f I ~ 1 .• k ~ '+ ~~ z,.. K ~ P'~ w1s t" . _ ':.: MII`II`IESOTA'S '~ O MOST ENDAI~IGERED HISTORIC PLACES For the: past eighteen years, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has compiled an annual list of the state's threatened historic buildings, sites, and structures. While the endangering circumstances vary, PAM's response remains the same-to shine a spotlight on these important places, and to equip local advocates to ral)y for preservation. Whether these places face impending demolition or continual neglect,` financial hurdles, organizational challenges, or restrictive public policy, PAM hopes to focus public attention on favorable outcomes that can be achieved through a preservation approach. Of the more than 150 historic places featured :over the ife of this program, nearly two- thirds have been saved in part by their inclusion on the 10 Most Endangered `Historic Places list. `Now celebrating its 30^ anniversary, PAM is a statewide, private, nonprofit organization advocating for the preservation of Minnesota's historic resources. PAM was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1981 by Minnesota citizens concerned about the future of the state's architectural and cultural landmarks, and has grown into a network representing thousands of voices statewide. Beyond our membership, we collaborate and partner with other local, state, and national organizations and agencies to preserve, protect, and promote historic places in our communities. For more information about these sites, and to see what you can do to help, visit `~ww.rrtnpreservatis~n.org~prc~grara~s~ten-mast-enelangered ~~1. ~-~~ PRESERVE PROTECT ~~~ PROMOTE ~`~ JACKSON STREET WATER TOWER Location: Elk River Built: 1920 Status: National Register listing in progress An icon of Elk River's rapid growth and a local engineering achievement, but no longer in use. Owned by the city's utility commission, which announced plans to dismantle it in 2008. Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission opposes demolition, hopes to nominate the water tower to the National Register of Historic Places and access grant funds for maintenance and rehabilitation. DREDGE WILLIAM A. THOMPSON Location: Mississippi River, near Winona Built: 1937 Status: National Register listing in progress Maintained channel widths and depths on the Mississippi River for nearly 80 years. Measuring 267 feet in length, the dredge was propelled by 650 HP engines, and. operated by nearly 70 crew members. Decommissioned by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2006. Friends of the Thompson hopes to find a permanent home for exhibition or reuse to save the dredge from becoming scrap. PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OP MINNESOTA ® HOWE SCHOOL Location: Minneapolis Built: 1927 Status: Not yet evaluated Served students and broader community of the Longfellow neighborhood until 2005. Several reuse proposals for housing, charter schools, and artists' live- work space have been rejected by Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) despite interest and action by concerned citizens. Now proposed for total demolition by MPS in order to build athletic fields for nearby middle school. FERGUS FALLS REGIONAL TREATMENT CENTER Location: Fergus Falls Built: 1888-1907 Status: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places Massive three-story, U-shaped building has been vacant since 2007. Tours by local preservation advocates, Friends of the Kirkbride, draw large crowds during the summer. City is concerned about local taxpayer obligation, wants to use up to $7 million in approved state bonding funds to clear the site and develop housing. Rehab options must gain traction by summer 2012 or city will pull the plug. r ='~ tr+ r u F Photogr.: , ,, er. ,. ~'-~ ~, t .. ©.IOHNSTON HALL Location: Faribault Built: 1888 3 '_~ Status: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places Limestone Richardsonian Romanesque building was built for local seminary, rehabilitated as medical offices following demolition threat in mid- 1980s. Now surrounded by modern hospital complex, building needs critical repairs totaling more than $1 million and a new owner with a commitment to preservation and reuse. 1 O MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES MAYOWOOD HISTORIC DISTRICT Location: Rochester Built: c. 1870 - c. 1935 Status: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places Remaining 120 acres of Dr. Charles H. Mayo's estate, which was once 3,000 acres in size. Historic district includes WPA-era bridge and dam, farm buildings, landscape features, and several houses, including Mayowood, residence of Dr. Charlie and his family. Plans to replace bridge will remove significant landscape features and impact character of district. Comprehensive plan is needed to preserve "Minnesota's Biltmore." 7 MITCHELL YARDS Location: Hibbing Built: 1906 Status: Not yet evaluated Primary switching and servicing facility for the steam locomotives that transported ore from the Iron Range to the Twin Ports, helped U.S. win two world wars. Could accommodate nine engines at a time inside the building. Used for decades as a salvage yard, site was purchased recently with the hope of turning it into an arts center focused on metalwork. Building needs critical repairs, especially new roof, to continue to share its story. Photographs by Katherine Scott, Black Box Images, except as noted. ~ PILLSBURY "A" MILL ~ COMPLEX Location: Minneapolis Built: 1881- 1919 Status: National Register and local listing; "A" Mill is National Historic Landmark Eight-building complex with associated infrastructure offers tremendous opportunity for adaptive reuse incorporating green technologies. Recent plans fizzled amid down economy; site purchased out of foreclosure by a consortium of banks. Another master development plan is needed to ensure the buildings are reused in a way that's best for the historic property and the city. PRESE ALLIANCE - OF - MINNESOTA PORKY'S DRIVE-IN Location: St. Paul Built: 1953 Status: National Register-eligible Iconic drive-in epitomized University Avenue's automobile age, was popular hangout for old car fans. Closed abruptly in early April, buildings to be moved to site near Hastings in summer 2011. m ST. PETER'S CHURCH Location: Duluth Built: 1925 - 1927 Status: Not yet evaluated Closely tied to the local Italian immigrant community from the time of its design and construction until its sudden closure in October 2010. Stone facade is native basalt, built by the same masons who crafted some of Duluth's most notable residences. Supporters envision amixed-use cultural center to maintain Italian traditions and reach into the community, but need cooperation of the diocese to proceed. 'I O MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES PORKY'S DRIVE-IN Location: St. Paul Built: 1953 Status: National Register-eligible MAYOWOOD HISTORIC DISTRICT Location: Rochester Built: c. 1870 - c. 1935 Status: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places Remaining 120 acres of Dr. Charles H. Mayo's estate, which was once 3,000 acres in size. Historic district includes WPA-era bridge and dam, farm buildings, landscape features, and several houses, including Mayowood, residence of Dr. Charlie and his family. Plans to replace bridge will remove significant landscape features and impact character of district. Comprehensive plan is needed to preserve "Minnesota's Biltmore." 7 MITCHELL YARDS Location: Hibbing Built: 1906 Status: Not yet evaluated Primary switching and servicing facility for the steam locomotives that transported ore from the Iron Range to the Twin Ports, helped U.S. win two world wars. Could accommodate nine engines at a time inside the building. Used for decades as a salvage yard, site was purchased recently with the hope of turning it into an arts center focused on metalwork. Building needs critical repairs, especially new roof, to continue to share its story. Photographs by Katherine Scott, Black Box Images, except as noted. PILLSBURY "A" MILL ~ COMPLEX Location: Minneapolis Built: 1881- 1919 Status: National Register and local listing; "A" Mill is National Historic Landmark Eight-building complex with associated infrastructure offers tremendous opportunity for adaptive reuse incorporating green technologies. Recent plans fizzled amid down economy; site purchased out of foreclosure by a consortium of banks. Another master development plan is needed to ensure the buildings are reused in a way that's best for the historic property and the city. PRESERVATION ALLIANCE - OF - MINNESOTA Iconic drive-in epitomized University Avenue's automobile age, was popular hangout for old car fans. Closed abruptly in early April, buildings to be moved to site near Hastings in summer 2011. mI ST. PETER'S CHURCH Location: Duluth Built: 1925 - 1927 Status: Not yet evaluated Closely tied to the local Italian immigrant community from the time of its design and construction until its sudden closure in October 2010. Stone facade is native basalt, built by the same masons who crafted some of Duluth's most notable residences. Supporters envision amixed-use cultural center to maintain Italian traditions and reach into the community, but need cooperation of the diocese to proceed. 1 O MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES SAM 20 ~ '~ O~GA~~~~.T'IOt`IAL S~C~I~~OI~~ Presenting Sponsor QoRr -. .~ -9 Q' a r ~b S In-kind Sponsors G O y BL4~K BOX ~r ti ~r • Miv'~AH GREATER LITCHFIELD OPERA HousE FGF F rlends of the Graves Farmstead Duluth Preservation 1111iance n~A-I~ia~rce.org Alliance for REstaratian (KARE} e~,{E~r~r~f, ~~'~.~ ~y~~~'~'F'~~~t ASSOCIATION t,:. ~~~~ ;'SO `" ~ ~ .. . _ .. ~ciety of Lzn~scape Arc Y Y ly ®~.~~ = St. Cloud~fistor~caC~ i~~r ~ ~,l~r' ~ r~~r r r ~pRDENPgR~ ~ ~~U ?_ir ri A:~ p ~ s`,r1UL1 . ~ Neighborhood ~'reser~~afion ~ ~ ,~, ~ . ~~.. , °~ 9~0~ ..,SQ'L' i'u lu n _ 1 , ~~,~.ty X19 cmr 55855 ~'ouic vane atlona Window Associates Inc. ELK RIVER FORECLOSURES 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Janua 13 20 14 26 9 6 Februa 4 27 20 22 10 4 March 17 35 12 17 7 4 A ril 14 18 11 12 4 7 Ma 20 16 22 19 6 June 32 12 22 20 14 Jul 21 22 26 14 8 Au ust 17 19 19 13 6 Se tember 16 12 16 16 5 October 12 17 20 20 7 November 12 12 14 26 6 December 7 13 13 18 13 Total 48 237 180 229 176 86 OF COUNTY TOTAL 23% 31% 26% 25% 27% 24% TOTAL SHERBURNE COUNTY FORECLOSURES 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Janua 41 79 61 95 47 19 Februa 35 72 72 77 33 20 March 59 97 44 82 45 20 April 70 69 49 66 45 21 Ma 69 59 82 72 26 June 80 63 87 52 31 Jul 63 75 100 55 48 Au ust 17 45 60 42 35 Se tember 72 55 66 53 33 October 59 82 63 71 32 November 60 51 68 86 30 December 35 47 61 57 38 Total 205 772 703 907 658 353 88 87 92 66 83 100 91 74 65 76 70 64 956 956 342 309 347 320 308 313 341 199 279 307 295 238 3598