There was an interesting article in the LA Times recently about the declaration of some lawmakers and a watchdog group that the Obama loan modification program, the home affordable modification program (HAMP) has been a failure. The White House promised several changes to the program to improve it. Here are some excerpts from that piece:
Among the changes to take effect June 1 is a requirement that companies servicing mortgages must prescreen every borrower who has missed two or more payments to determine whether he or she is eligible for the Home Affordable Modification Program. If so, the servicer “must proactively solicit those borrowers” to participate. Those companies also are required to make quicker decisions about eligibility and speedily process documents.
And the program is being expanded to include borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy protection.
Assistant Treasury Secretary Herbert M. Allison Jr. announced the changes at a hearing about the program by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Lawmakers from both parties have been critical of the program’s effect on home foreclosures. …
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) was more blunt. He said the program had been a failure and actually had increased the pain for some homeowners who had been given the false impression that their mortgage payments could be permanently lowered.
“People are making payments in hopes that it would lead to a solution, when it appears as though a great many of them should be looking for more affordable alternate housing,” Issa said.