The current crisis is still continuing its massive wave of economic unrest across the nation causing more foreclosures to occur. Private homes are not the only ones affected but include rental units and apartments as well. This caused trouble to renters who are being evicted from their rented homes due to foreclosures, particularly for those who had no idea that their homes are being foreclosed.
In Illinois, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart got tired of walking into homes to carry out eviction orders only to face families who have no idea on what was going on. These renters did not know that the units they are renting have become foreclosure homes.
Faced with this predicament, Sheriff Dart closed a deal with County courts that he will not carry out eviction orders until judges had ruled that renters were provided with prior knowledge regarding notice of foreclosures given to their landlords. With this new deal, Sheriff Dart only carried out 3 evictions in October when foreclosure rates where at a high.
Congress has been dealing with the foreclosures crisis and only faced frustration as the administration rejected bids for a bail-out plan for borrowers. The Treasury Department opted to use the $700 billion bailout fund to salvage banks and financial institutions and left troubled homeowners on their own.
Hearing about the Robin Hood tales from Cook County, Capitol Hill invited Sheriff Dart for a discussion to get some inspiration in finding short term solutions for this foreclosures crisis while long term programs are still being debated on top.
Democratic legislators are putting their hopes on President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office in January. While still senator, Obama co-sponsored the bail-out bill for borrowers but was rejected by the current administration. With him in the White House, the Democrats in the House are banking on the borrower’s bill to finally see passage.
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HUD Fair Housing Equal Opportunity
