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Fast Track Workouts for Delinquent Borrowers With Freddie Mac-Owned Mortgages Underway

Washington, DC – Seriously delinquent borrowers with mortgages owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae can now take advantage of a new Streamlined Modification Program designed to make mortgage payments more affordable so more families can avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.   The Streamlined Mod Program officially went into effect on December 15, three days after Freddie Mac sent detailed implementation instructions to its servicers.

Announced on November 11, 2008 with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae and the HOPE Now Alliance, the Streamlined Modification Program replaces several time-consuming steps in a traditional loan modification with a faster uniform process that uses standard eligibility requirements and documents.

“This initiative builds on Freddie Mac's current loss mitigation efforts, which are on track to provide three out of five of our seriously delinquent borrowers with a workout this year,” said David M. Moffett, Freddie Mac's Chief Executive Officer.  “Our alliance with FHFA, Fannie Mae, and the HOPE Now Alliance will help our industry bring relief to thousands of distressed homeowners.”

Under the Streamlined Modification Program, mortgage and escrow payments can be cut to 38 percent or less of an eligible borrower's gross monthly income by one or more of the following steps as necessary: reducing mortgage rates, extending the mortgage term up to 40 years, or forbearing part of the principal. To be eligible, borrowers must own and occupy the property as a primary residence, have missed at least three mortgage payments and not filed for bankruptcy.

Borrowers should contact their servicers if they think they may qualify.  At the same time, servicers will be identifying eligible borrowers and reaching out to them through the mail.

If an affordable payment cannot be achieved through the Streamlined Modification Program, servicers will evaluate borrowers through the traditional modification process. Servicers will also continue reaching out to distressed borrowers as early as possible to determine their eligibility for a workout or other foreclosure alternative.

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.

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