Jim Buckley (pictured), executive director of the University Neighborhood Housing Program, has been working to help families in the Bronx avoid foreclosure since 1989. Buckley said there has been an escalation in foreclosures on private homes in parts of the Bronx over the last four years, with a spike in the last two-and-a-half years. He also said there has been an increase in auction sales following notices warning homeowners they are at risk of foreclosure – called Lis Pendens – leading many homeowners to sell at below market value.
To help homeowners avoid foreclosure, Buckley organized an informational meeting with bank and non-profit representatives in May 2007 to educate two-dozen attendees about how to deal with financial hardships and keep their homes. He advised homeowners to contact their bank or lender to discuss their difficulty rather than failing to make payments, or to contact non-profits like his for advice. Buckley spoke on camera before the meeting, as cameras were not allowed inside.
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