Las Vegas NowNon-Profit Wraps Up Mortgage Assistance Tour

Non-Profit Wraps Up Mortgage Assistance Tour

Thousands of people have lined up over the last three days, desperate for help to keep their homes. A national non-profit group set up shop at the convention center hoping to step in for those in a financial meltdown.

The doors closed late Monday. Forty thousand people caught up in messy mortgages flocked to the Save the Dream tour sponsored by the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, or NACA.

"I truly have a testimony. Our mortgage is $3,500 a month. We're upside down in our house. We need some help," said Evelyn Polk-Penix.

NACA is waging war against predatory lending. "We consider ourselves bank terrorists. That's what we like to call ourselves -- non-violent bank terrorists," said NACA public relations assistant Katina Fields.

Julius and Carol Mainor lived that terror for two years. They were facing foreclosure from their Centennial Hills home. "Our monthly payment had risen to $5,900, which was beyond our capability of paying," said Julius.

They camped outside and waited. Eventually, an NACA counselor worked out a solution with their bank. "After today, our fixed rate at 2-percent is $2,277. One half," said Julius.

The Mainors are going home without the fear. "It's true, but I'll sleep tonight," said Carol.

Others in the same situation wait and keep up the faith they can stay under their roof.

NACA says 80-percent of the time, they can work something out -- either mortgage restructuring or forbearance -- where payments can be lowered or delayed. But still, about 8,000 people will go home with no hope, and soon, they may not even have a home.

If you were unable to attend the Save the Dream tour at the Las Vegas Convention Center, NACA will be holding another event in San Francisco at Cow Palace, from October 16 to 20. You may also call the local NACA Las Vegas office at 362-6199 to inquire about receiving help.