Consumer Action educates Los Angeles CBOs on housing issues

On Wednesday, July 22nd, Consumer Action (CA) brought together community-based organizations from the greater Los Angeles area for a full day of training on foreclosure prevention, foreclosure rescue scams, and tips on successful homeownership. The training was held in the community at New Economics for Women.

Outreach Director Mikael Wagner introduced a panel of housing experts who provided local, state and national information about foreclosure and loan modification, as well as resources to help CBO staff and their clients obtain assistance with the foreclosure, or foreclosure prevention, process. The panel was comprised of Marjorie Murray of the Center for California Homeowner Association Law, Yesenia Casillas of New Economics for Women and Nina Kihlman of Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services. Each panel member gave an overview of their organization and update on foreclosure law, loan modification, and foreclosure prevention programs.

Outreach trainer Nelson Santiago led the presentation on Successful Homeownership, which included several interactive learning activities that participants later raved about. Successful Homeownership is the twelfth module in Consumer Action’s popular MoneyWi$e series offering homeowners information on the responsibilities of homeownership. The MoneyWi$e curriculum includes lesson plans, leader’s guides, brochures, PowerPoint training slides and suggested learning activities for trainers. MoneyWi$e is a joint project of Consumer Action and Capital One Bank.

Outreach team member Audrey Perrott discussed Consumer Action’s ongoing legislative and issue-based advocacy as she led the group on a guided tour of the CA web site. Participants expressed interest in receiving Consumer Action’s Take Action alerts and working together in a coalition on housing and other social justice issues.