THOMPSON LAUNCHES “SAVE OUR HOMES” INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS SUBPRIME CRISIS

Comptroller Thompson launched a citywide “Save Our Homes” initiative, designed to help homeowners hold onto their homes amid the nation’s worsening subprime crisis.

“Foreclosure rates from subprime mortgages are reaching staggering rates,” Thompson said. “It is estimated that approximately 15,000 families in the City are at risk of losing their homes by the end of this year and experts predict this number to increase significantly in 2008. These pending foreclosures not only will close the doors of homes and opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers, but will adversely impact our neighborhoods as a whole.”

In the Save Our Homes initiative, Thompson worked with labor, clergy and neighborhood organizations to highlight the crisis at events starting in November. The events will continue in the coming months.

“We are highlighting the issue and distributing a prevention guide in churches, identifying ways to prevent foreclosure and listing vital resources for people in their neighborhoods, in the city, and in the state,” Thompson said. “There is an urgent need for this crisis to be rapidly addressed at many levels, because this affects every one of us, if not a family member than a friend or a neighbor.”

To obtain a copy of the guide or if you need assistance to prevent foreclosure, call Thompson’s Foreclosure Prevention Helpline at (212) 669-4600.

THOMPSON HOLDS EVENTS TO HONOR THE DISABLED, VETERANS

Comptroller Thompson honored New Yorkers who have made a difference at a Disability Awareness Month event and a Veterans’ Recognition event in November.

On November 19, Thompson cosponsored his annual Disability Awareness event at City Hall with YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities and the Disabilities Network of New York City. He presented The Jewish Guild for the Blind with his Organizational Service Award. The other honorees were: Christopher Greif, Consumer Advocate, Executive Assistant to the Consumer Council; LaVerne D. Miller, Esq., Executive Director, Howie T. Harp Peer Advocacy Center, Community Access, Inc.; Carl Jacobsen, President, National Federation of the Blind of New York State; and Marvin Wasserman, Executive Director, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled and Founder and Steering Committee Member, Taxis For All Campaign.

On November 29, also at City Hall, Thompson cosponsored his annual Veterans’ Recognition event with the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and the American Legion of the State of New York. The honorees were: Joseph A. Bello, Assistant Director, Center for Veterans, Youth and Adults, LaGuardia Community College and Founder & Editor, New York City Veterans Newsletter; Alice F. Jones, Assistant Director (New York), Veterans Employment & Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Wolf A. Popper, President, Wolf A. Popper, Inc.; and William H. Wheeler, Tuskegee Airman and Congressional Gold Medal Recipient.