My bottom line on the economy is that there is an overlooked link between unemployment and foreclosure.

Especially those of us unemployed since this recession began! We are the totally forgotten people!

People can't pay for housing WITHOUT A JOB!  My husband has been unemployed for 16 months.  The job market is terrible and the government's plans do not include the unemployed.  No one will modify or refinance a mortgage with no income from employment.  COBRA discounts, etc, only cover those recently employed.  Unemployment benefit claims are dropping because people have used up their allocated benefits and still haven't found work.  So now they are not only still unemployed, but now they aren't receiving any unemployment benefits.  After living in this hell for so long, I still see no light and the end of what's been (and will continue to be) a very long tunnel.

Our local housing market isn't in the top 10 list of "worst areas," but there are a lot of short sales and "for sale" signs -- not a lot of "sold" signs.  Property values have dropped, but unless you're in the top 10 of something, not much attention is paid to a situation.

In Philadelphia, property taxes are increasing nearly 20% to prevent layoffs of POLICE and FIREFIGHTERS.  So where's our stimulus money going?  Well, Philadelphia is also apparently building a soccer stadium for a new soccer team.  No official word on where that money's coming from, but it makes me wonder.

Read our full story at www.helpsavehomeowners.org

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