Dear Westland Resident:

As many of us are fully aware, few things signify the American dream like home ownership, and few things are more daunting than the nation’s rising foreclosure rates which pose a threat to that very dream. In light of this crisis which is impacting Metro-Detroit, it is imperative that our residents who are facing foreclosure have access to resources that may help them retain their home while they can.

A few months ago, I participated in a U.S. Conference of Mayors summit in downtown Detroit where mayors from across the nation, along with lenders, banks, and nonprofit organizations, discussed ways to collaboratively help to reverse this trend and guide homeowners who may be facing foreclosure. On the heels of that summit came the formation of the Westland Foreclosure Information Task Force whose charge has been to help educate Westland homeowners by helping to make known the resources that are available to them. This task force and I recently partnered with Lighthouse Community Development Housing Counseling Agency to host a seminar in which topics pertaining to homeownership preservation were discussed. That material, which is attached, includes the following:

• Description of how foreclosure works
• Who to contact
• Lender Quick Reference list
• Counsel or agency locator
• Numbers you need to know

In addition, you will also find included a foreclosure timeline, a homeowner’s check-list for avoiding foreclosure, a list of foreclosure friendly housing, moving, and self storage companies, as well as information about Lighthouse Community Development Housing Counseling Agency. Please note that DVD’s of this program are available for rental at the William P. Faust Public Library of Westland.

Thank you for taking the opportunity to visit the City of Westland online, and I sincerely hope that you find the following information insightful and beneficial.

Foreclosure Informational Packet (pdf)

Sincerely,

William R. Wild