March 29, 2011

CARSON STATEMENT ON HAMP TERMINATION ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman André Carson released the following statement on today's vote to end the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) that provides funding to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

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"The HAMP program was launched to help stem the tide of home foreclosures and the disastrous impact it has on our families and communities. Although this program is not perfect, it has helped thousands of families in the 7th District lower their mortgage payments and stay in their homes.

"Today's vote is the latest in a series of Republican bills that would end programs to help Americans avoid foreclosure. With forecasts predicting 3 million foreclosures nationwide this year and the housing turnaround not expected for at least three years, Republicans have yet to offer any alternative to help solve our nation's housing crisis.

"Eliminating support for distressed homeowners at this point in time would be disastrous for neighborhoods trying to recover from the foreclosure crisis. We should focus our efforts on ways to give struggling homeowners real relief by making programs like HAMP a useful, wide-reaching program with meaningful goals."

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