Q.C. hosts free foreclosure prevention workshop

In the Queen Creek area, an estimated one out of 10 homes are in foreclosure. So the town is stepping up to help area residents facing foreclosure by hosting a foreclosure prevention workshop Sept. 20. The town is partnering with the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force to put on the event.

A recent Queen Creek neighborhood summit event brought attention to the problems related to foreclosures, town spokeswoman Marnie Schubert said.

Weeds, graffiti and other blight issues associated with mounting foreclosures in the area are growing concerns for town officials.

"As a town there's not a whole lot we can do, but we can provide a venue to help those faced with foreclosure," Schubert said.

Data provided by foreclosure experts Default Research show that another 60 homes in Queen Creek are facing foreclosure in the next 90 days. That number is up from just 19 homes facing foreclosure a year ago. Queen Creek does not track foreclosures but uses a Web site that shows more than 1,000 homes in foreclosure in the 85242 ZIP code. There are about 10,000 homes in town.

Town resident George Easton, who owns Advantage Appraisals, said the area market is still declining but there are options for people other than foreclosure.

"People don't know what their options are and they're paralyzed," he said. "They're scared to lose their investment and their equity."

Easton said he sees the Queen Creek neighborhoods of Cortina and The Villages at Queen Creek hit the hardest but said the workshop is a great idea on the town's part and should help people find out about options.

The foreclosure prevention workshop will offer one-on-one financial counseling and help. Schubert said the event isn't just for town residents but also the greater Johnson Ranch and Santan area which was one of the hardest hit areas for foreclosures.

Participants are asked to bring loan documents and other financial information to the event for confidential counseling.

There will be children's activities and tools and tips for crisis budgeting.

Schubert also reminds people that if they can't wait for the event, the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force has a foreclosure help line at (877) 448-1211.

Queen Creek foreclosure prevention workshop

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 20

Where: Queen Creek Town Hall, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road

Information: (480) 358-3723