Allocations to prevent foreclosures now top $1.6 million in Washington

Washington agencies will soon receive $628,880 to help families avoid foreclosure, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced today. The money will be distributed by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, as part of a $177.5 nationwide distribution included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.

This latest allocation brings to $1.65 million the total funding sent to the state Housing Finance Commission in part because of Murray's efforts.

“With more Washington state families facing the threat of losing their homes, this funding is more important than ever,” she said, in a statement. “This funding extends a lifeline to families who feel they have no way out of debt and nowhere to turn for help. It will ensure that expert, free assistance is just a phone call away.”

Washington state had 4,278 foreclosure filings in October, which was a 95 percent increase from October of 2007. The state's rate of one filing for every 631 households put it 17th among all states and Washington, D.C.

The Omnibus Appropriations bill, passed in December, also included $180 million for foreclosure counseling, of which $334,911 went to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

Murray also secured $686,000 in a federal funding specifically for the Washington State Housing Finance Commission using a federal earmark in the Omnibus Appropriations bill.