Financial Fitness Workshop Helps Homeowners and Families Take Control of Their Finances

Event Co-Hosted by Senator Stewart-Cousins, Housing Action Council, Community Housing Innovations and Attorney General Schneiderman's Office Offers Information about Budgeting, Credit Issues and Mortgage Modifications

Yonkers, NY - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF – 35th District) co-hosted a “Financial Fitness Workshop," Tuesday at the Riverfront Library, to help individuals and homeowners learn how to take control of their finances. The Senator co-hosted the event with Housing Action Council, Community Housing Innovations and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Office.

“It is important for struggling families to know there are ways to avoid or mitigate financial problems,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF – 35th District). “Information about creating budgets, refinancing a loan or obtaining a mortgage modification is not always easily accessible, so I was happy to help provide an opportunity for members of the community to learn how they can improve their financial situations."

The workshop featured a presentation by Frengiz Surty, a Counselor with the Housing Action Council, and a Spanish presentation by Abigail Garcia, a Counselor with Community Housing Innovations. Topics included personal budgeting, credit issues, mortgage modifications and refinancing options for homeowners.

"The Housing Action Council and Community Housing Innovations have great track records of helping people regain their financial footing or avoid losing it altogether. The information they shared Tuesday was invaluable and will hopefully help the attendees get closer to reaching their financial goals,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins.

The New York State Legislature has worked closely with Attorney General Schneiderman to enact creative and important legislation to help homeowners manage the foreclosure crisis. Just this year, the Legislature passed a new law, proposed by the Attorney General, that will expedite foreclosure proceedings and help homeowners avoid costly fees that accrue when their cases drag out in court. Senator Stewart-Cousins voted in favor of this new law and successfully pushed for its passage in the Senate. It was signed by the Governor in August.

The Senator has also worked with the Department of Financial Services to bring the Mobile Foreclosure Prevention Unit to her district to counsel struggling homeowners.

“These efforts benefitted many families who were already facing foreclosure, but people can also take action to prevent a serious personal financial crisis before it starts. That can only happen if they have the right information and know who to contact for help if they need it. That was one of my goals in co-hosting this workshop,” concluded the Senator.