Philadelphia Foreclosure Diversion Program Scoring High Marks

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

• Jeff Jubelirer, a First Judicial District spokesman, said that more than 5,700 Philadelphia homeowners have participated in the [Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Pilot Program.]. Of those, the homes of about 1,400 have been saved from a sheriff's sale, and 700 other owners have been able to postpone sales, said Judge Annette Rizzo, who is in charge of the program. "Folks who haven't worked together before . . . are wading in together and getting things done," said Pamela Dembe, president of the Court of Common Pleas.

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• D. Webster Keogh, a judge in Philadelphia's trial division, credited "relentless" outreach by public-interest groups. He cited a "change in the attitude and posture of opposing attorneys" that "allowed them to take their litigation gloves off."

For more, see Much-admired city initiative saves 1,400 homes from foreclosure.

See also, The Philadelphia Inquirer: A milestone for mortgage-foreclosure diversion program.