WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Orwall lauded as 2011 Housing Hero

OLYMPIA- In recognition of her outstanding legislative work to lend homeowners a helping hand in the midst of Washington state’s worst foreclosure crisis, State Rep. Tina Orwall recently received the 2011 Housing Hero Award from a group of housing and homeless organizations.

 

“It was a great honor to receive this award,” said the Des Moines Democrat. “I am very proud of our work to create a fair process to protect homeowners and keep them in their homes whenever possible.  I am grateful to the large group of stakeholders who worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

 

Orwall’s leadership during the past legislative session will bring desperately needed solutions to struggling homeowners in the form of her Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011, which created the Foreclosure Mediation Program that could benefit the 45,000 families expected to receive foreclosure notices this year.

 

The new law will bring banks and homeowners to the table to explore alternatives to foreclosure. It will require lenders to notify borrowers prior to foreclosure of the availability of foreclosure counseling and the potential for mediation. Foreclosure counseling will help homeowners understand all of their options and determine the best course of action.

 

The 2011 Housing Hero Award was presented to Orwall at the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness’ General Membership meeting on June 16 by representatives from the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. These statewide organizations prioritize strong legislation, robust investments, and sound policies that support and house the homeless and that work toward preventing and ending homelessness in Washington state.

 

Housing issues are not new to Orwall, in fact, for more than a decade she has demonstrated her commitment to the most vulnerable populations of Washington through her work as an advocate for the homeless. Among her previous accomplishments is the creation of a nationally recognized public–private funding partnership with local government and foundations, which has resulted in over 600 units of housing for homeless individuals, including units dedicated to homeless veterans.

 

Rep. Tina Orwall was also the recipient of the 2010 Washington Low Income Housing Alliance Legislator of the Year Award, and the 2004 Washington State Coalition for the Homeless Advocate Award.

 

 

The Foreclosure Mediation Program will begin July 22, 2011. Homeowners who wish to participate in mediation must be referred by a housing counselor or an attorney. For more information please call the hotline: 1-877-894-HOME (1-877-894-4663), or visit the program’s website: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1367/default.aspx