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Foreclosure assistance is available for free

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By SHANNON BEHNKEN

sbehnken@tampatrib.com

Published: April 15, 2009

TAMPA - Thousands of Tampa Bay area homeowners face foreclosure, and they don't always find help on the other end of their lender's 1-800 number.

Many end up turning to for-profit companies that collect thousands of dollars to help troubled homeowners modify their mortgages.

But they don't have to.

Local nonprofit groups offer help for free. There are opportunities to get help this week.

The Housing and Education Alliance, a local nonprofit housing counseling agency, is holding a group education session tonight. The session is from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave. in Ybor City.

On Saturday, homeowners facing foreclosure can see a counselor at a foreclosure assistance workshop hosted by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St.

Representatives from banks, nonprofit organizations and other community groups will answer questions and offer financial advice.

For information on the Housing and Education Alliance sessions, call (813) 261-5151. For information on Castor's event, call (813) 871-2817 or go to www.castor.house.gov.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.

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