Free Tax Preparation and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
February 17, 2010
VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low- and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost. VITA also ensures that workers receive all the tax credits to which they are entitled. Read More

The Foreclosure Prevention, Tenant Protection and Property Maintenance Act of 2009
Chapter 507 of the Laws of New York, 2009
January 16, 2010
On December 15, 2009, Governor Paterson signed into law comprehensive legislation that the New York State Legislature had passed in November, referred to as the Foreclosure Prevention, Tenant Protection and Property Maintenance Act of 2009. The law extends protections previously in law for homeowners with subprime and nontraditional loans to all homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Read More

Addressing Credit Reporting Issues for Survivors of Domestic Violence
January 16, 2010
Once immediate safety concerns are addressed, long-term independence and security for survivors of domestic violence require reliable financial resources to sustain daily living and future planning. Read More

New Federal Loan Repayment Plan Provides Relief for Student Loan Borrowers
January 16, 2010
On July 1, 2009, the federal government made a new student loan repayment program, Income-Based Repayment, available to borrowers. This new repayment option makes student loan payments more affordable for many more people. Under the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) program, a borrower’s monthly payment on federal student loans is capped based upon the borrower’s income and family size. Read More

Empire Justice Center's Legislative Agenda 2009-2011
January 16, 2010
The Summer issue of the Legal Services Journal highlighted many legislative initiatives for 2009-2011 and provided a “Legislative Scorecard” on those initiatives with detailed articles on a broad array of issue areas. This article will review those initiatives and add to the Legislative Scorecard as we move into the New Year. Read More

Governor Paterson Signs Comprehensive Foreclosure Legislation into Law
Strengthens Protections for Homeowners, Tenants and Neighborhoods
December 15, 2009
Governor David A. Paterson today signed into law comprehensive foreclosure legislation which provides additional critical protections for New York State homeowners, tenants and neighborhoods in the wake of the ongoing foreclosure crisis. Read More

Overview of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Regulations
December 4, 2009
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted by Congress in 1977 (12 U.S.C. 2901) and implemented by Regulations 12 CFR parts 25, 228, 345, and 563e, is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate. In this section of the web site, you can find out more about the regulation and its interpretation and information on CRA examinations. Read More

Overview of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) and Regulations
December 4, 2009
The key piece of legislation for giving communities and policy makers information about how well banks and other mortgage lenders are serving communities under the Community Reinvestment Act. Read More

GRCRC and Other CRA Advocates
December 3, 2009
Lists of national, state and local community reinvestment advocates, as well as a description of GRCRC. Read More

Legislature Passes Comprehensive Foreclosure Legislation
Free Training available: Representing Home Owners at Mandatory Settlement Conferences
November 18, 2009
The training includes a hands-on guide to the settlement conferences, an overview of the foreclosure process and sub-prime loans, recent changes in the law and emerging federal programs, legal claims, and defenses, as well as sample forms. Read More