Save the Dream Ohio : Families Recovering from Foreclosure

In 2009, more than 89,000 Ohioans received a foreclosure notice in the mail. While not every home that enters the foreclosure process winds up being sold in a Sheriff's Sale, many do. If you are recovering from foreclosure and the loss of your home, you should know that Ohio offers many resources to help you quickly regain your financial footing.

Lowering Your Monthly Bills and Expenses To find out if you are eligible for a program to help make your bills and expenses more affordable, contact Ohio Benefit Bank, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio One Stop Locations, or United Way 2-1-1. To learn more about a program, click on one of the links below. Child Care Food Heating Assistance Medical Programs Prescription Help Locating Safe and Affordable Housing Ohio Affordable Housing Locator – OhioHousingLocator.org is the state of Ohio's one stop shop for residents seeking affordable apartments and homes for rent. Search for current vacancies, homes with accessibility features, and housing for older adults. Finding a Job and Getting Career Training Ohio Means Jobs Rapid Response for Job Seekers Ohio's Local One Stops Ohio Apprenticeship Programs Important Community Resources These organizations can help you navigate the many different resources, programs, and benefits that exist on the local, state, and federal levels. Ohio Benefit Bank Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio One Stop Locations United Way 2-1-1 What to Do with Your Pets if You have to Move If you have to leave your home and you cannot bring your pet or you can no longer afford to care for you pet visit No Paws Left Behind to find out how to make sure your pet ends up in a safe happy home. No Paws Left Behind Inc. is a nonprofit organization that aims to support those who find foreclosure imminent and those who find or know of abandoned pets. The website includes tips for homeowners and lenders as well as links to local animal shelters.

Repairing Your Credit The Ohio Treasurer of State provides online information about Credit and Debt. This information will help you get started. Federal Government Resources MyMoney.gov, hosted by the U.S. government, includes advice on building better credit, avoiding scams, finding free and legitimate credit repair services, and much more. Credit Repair: How To Help Yourself Building a Better Credit Report AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report. Your credit report is generated by three consumer credit reporting companies. Some consumers access one report from a different company every three months, so they can check their credit more frequently. Managing Your Money The Ohio Treasurer of State offers information on Financial Planning, Scams, Saving and Investing, Retirement, Taxes, and more. You can also sign up to participate in a Smart Money Choices Workshop or join SaveNOW to help jump start your savings account. Other Resources MyMoney.gov, hosted by the U.S. government, offers information on keeping your family financially fit. The Beehive, produced by the One Economy Corporation, provides information for families on spending wisely, saving money, building a budget, and more. Talking to Children about Tough Financial Times PBS and Sesame Street have produced Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times. You can watch this hour-long special program with your children about four families coping with difficult economic circumstances. The Families Stand Together website includes tips for parents on talking with children. You can also download a copy of the new Sesame Street Storybook, No Matter Where We Are, which is a story about a family that moves because of financial challenges.