County gets $600,000 to help residents facing foreclosure

Hernando County will receive some $600,000 in federal stimulus money to help residents facing eviction through foreclosure not become another homeless statistic.

As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $1.6 billion is being made available to assist in such cases, including nearly $2 million dollars earmarked for Citrus, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties.

"Agencies in all of our counties are receiving daily calls from people asking for help as they are losing their homes," B.E. Thompson, president of Mid Florida Homeless Coalition Inc., said in a statement.

"Need for help is up, donations are down, and shelter beds are full. These dollars will help prevent people from becoming homeless and to help get housing for some of those who have lost their housing," Thompson said.

Mid-Florida Executive Director Barbara Wheeler said Citrus County will receive more than $400,000; Lake County, more than $800,000; and Sumter County, close to $150,000.

There were 272 foreclosure cases filed in Hernando County in April, according to the county clerk's office. Through Thursday of this month, 243 had been filed.

For more information, call Wheeler at 352-860-2308 or e-mail her at mfhc@tampabay.rr.com.