Emergency Mortgage Help Now Available One reason I voted against the new state budget, besides the deep slashes to K-12 education and higher education, was the 80 percent cut to the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, which has helped thousands of people since its creation in 1983. Gov. Tom Corbett's new budget only provides money to process applications that have already been approved, and that may not even be enough to fund all of those before the program shuts down. Since money was not restored by the legislature, many homeowners who fell on hard times through no fault of their own are being left without the help of a vital state resource. Fortunately, the Obama administration is providing immediate short-term relief but homeowners who need assistance must act now. Local homeowners can apply now for the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program if they are unable to make their monthly mortgage payments because of job loss or income reduction. Homeowners facing foreclosure should call the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency at 1-800-342-2397. Operators are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Funding is limited and the program will only be available through Sept. 30. Homeowners may be eligible for a loan of up to $50,000 or 24 months of mortgage payment assistance if they: * Have lost at least 15 percent of their income; * Have missed at least three mortgage payments or received a foreclosure notice due to job loss, income reduction or illness; * Are likely to be able to start making payments again within two years; * Are at or below 120 percent of area median income; * Are applying for help with a mortgage on their primary residence, which is a one- to four-unit residence or condominium unit. If you know someone who can use this information, please share this message. My constituent service office - 208 N. Highland Ave.; 412-361-3692 - can help you with any state-related concern. (State Rep. Joseph Preston Jr. serves the 24th Legislative District which comprises Aspinwall, Wilkinsburg and portions of Pittsburgh.) State Rep. Joseph Preston Jr. D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/preston<http://www.pahouse.com/preston>