Discusses the Impact of Mortgage Defaults in Erie County and
the Importance of the Stay in Your Home Campaign

Erie County, NY- Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns and the Stay In Your Home Campaign released a staggering report on the Post-Moratorium Pre-Foreclosure Notices received by many homeowners across Erie County.

According to data from New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), approximately 2,930 homeowners, residing in 64 zip codes in Erie County, received pre-foreclosure default notices in the last six months. These homeowners could be anywhere from sixty to hundreds of days behind on their mortgage payments.

In the great recession of 2008, foreclosures disproportionately affected homeowners in the City of Buffalo. However, this recent report indicates that only three of the top ten zip codes for pre-foreclosure notices are located within the city, with the remaining seven located in the suburbs.

With the last remaining foreclosure moratoria at the federal and state levels ending in January of 2022, County Clerk Kearns has remained vocal about the increase in foreclosure filings and has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic with municipalities and communities to raise awareness in an effort to prevent COVID foreclosures from becoming COVID zombie foreclosures.

“Unfortunately, the overwhelming numbers in this report confirm another foreclosure crisis of greater magnitude is on the horizon for many homeowners across Erie County,” said Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns. “Although the COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the battle against zombie properties and the fight to preserve homeownership, we do have the tools to help them stay in their home.”

"Zombie Homes" are homes that have been neglected due to a lack of payments and foreclosure. Zombie Homes can be neglected by the owner of the property, or banks that take over. When these properties have been left alone for months, and in some cases years, they have a profound negative impact and inflicts blight on the community.

“What Belmont counselors are seeing is that families in default have been unable to recover economically after either experiencing a loss of income, illness, having to stay home for the children, increase in expenses and are simply unable to resume the income they once had,” stated Sandy Becker, Senior Housing Programs Director, Belmont Housing Resources of WNY. “The data shows it is affecting all communities and all income brackets. Homeowners just can’t catch up.”

“The Stay In Your Home Campaign is dedicated to educating homeowners on their right to remain in their home throughout the foreclosure process as well as the free local resources that are available to help them,” said Kate Lockhart, Vacant and Abandoned Property Program Director, WNY Law Center. “In that effort, we will continue to also provide pre-foreclosure notices and lis pendens filings in Erie County on a quarterly basis.”

To obtain a copy of the Mortgage Default Report or learn more about the free services available to assist homeowners, call the Stay in Your Home Hotline at 716-828-8429 or go to StayInYourHomeWNY.com.