Hope LoanPort, the non-profit, web-based portal used for submission of foreclosure alternatives, announced today the availability of free local housing counselor resources through its Homeowner Connect website.

Homeowner Connect (www.homeownerconnect.org) was established in August to connect homeowners who may be struggling with their mortgage with valuable free resources, such as information on options via government and industry programs. As part of its service to empower consumers with education and information on available help, Homeowner Connect’s free database access is open to anyone visiting the website.

For homeowners impacted by the Sandy, we encourage you to reach out to your insurance company, your servicer, and to FEMA. For those wishing to engage in discussions such as forbearance with their mortgage servicer, Homeowner Connect provides a localized map of free, nonprofit housing counselors available to help discuss your options.

The entire Hope LoanPort staff and network of partners wish for safety and comfort to everyone as the affected areas recover from this storm.

HOPE LoanPort®, powered by RxOffice, is a web-based tool that streamlines foreclosure alternative applications on behalf of borrowers at-risk of foreclosure, allowing housing counselors to efficiently transmit completed applications to mortgage services. To date, Hope LoanPort has registered over 4,000 Counseling agencies, in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These counselors have access to servicers managing over 80% of the residential mortgages in the United States. For more information, please visit www.hopeloanportal.org.