Skip to Main Content

Printer Friendly

Consumer

The ability of consumers to save and grow wealth depends highly on their access to affordable, responsible financial services. However, many products and services are predatory, hurting consumers and stripping equity from their homes. This section of the website has information and resources on a variety of areas related to consumer credit and access to banking services, as well as mortgage lending and foreclosures. It includes information on the work Empire Justice Center and other consumer advocates do to ensure that consumers have access to affordable, responsible consumer financial products

ARTICLES

Funding for Advocates to Save Homes from Foreclosure
In this historic agreement, the Governor, Legislature and Attorney General collaboratively restored $9 million to ensure the continuation of the Foreclosure Prevention Services Program. Read more on how this agreement happened. Read More

Empire Justice Center Statement on the Budget
Empire Justice Center applauds the Governor and the Legislature for achieving a number of very positive things that will provide assistance to struggling New Yorkers. Read More


IN THE NEWS

Best Buy Ceases Rent-To-Own Program With Rent-A-Center
Best Buy Co. (BBY) has ended its foray into the lower-income rent-to-own field, shutting a program that Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII) was running in some Best Buy stores. Read More


Room for Debate: Are Banks Making Too Much Money From Fees?
Since the collapse of the housing bubble, and the recession, banks have been making more money from consumer fees. Do these charges need to be more closely regulated or limited, or are they necessary for the health of the banks, and the economy. Read More


POLICY ADVOCACY

Memorandum in Opposition: New Yorkers Do Not Need Check Cashers as Lenders in New York
Empire Justice Center strongly opposes A.7047/S.3841, referred to as the “short-term financial services loan act.” We believe the bill would create an unlevel playing field by allowing check cashers to make loans that are currently prohibited from being made by mainstream, regulated banks and credit unions. Read More


Memorandum of Support: Amend Social Services Law § 106 to Protect the Homes of Welfare Recipients
New York is one of only two states in the nation that takes deeds and mortgages against the homes of welfare recipients to recover the public assistance paid to these homeowners. This bill would exempt persons who own and reside in one, two or three family homes from this archaic provision. If the goal of New York’s public assistance policy is to restore individuals to self-sufficiency, then it is time to pass this bill! Read More



PUBLICATIONS

Paying More for the American Dream V
Access to mortgage refinance loans sharply declined in communities of color – and increased substantially in predominantly white neighborhoods, according to a report released today by a multistate collaboration of regional research, policy and advocacy organizations, including Empire Justice Center.... Read More

 

The Mortgage Meltdown II
New York's continuing foreclosure crisis and the need to help homeowners avoid the loss of their homes Read More

 

NEWSLETTERS

Policy Matters April 2012
Empire Justice Center’s newsletter focused solely on policy. This inaugural issue will focus on the recently passed state budget and how it will affect lower income New Yorkers, including people at risk of foreclosure, health care consumers, people with disabilities and those needing civil legal services. Read More


TRAININGS AND EVENTS

Representing Homeowners at Mandatory Settlement Conferences
Mandatory settlement conferences are now an integral component to the foreclosure process for subprime loans. The governor has signed a new law that expands the settlement conferences to all residential loans. Pro Bono lawyers have been approved to represent homeowners for the limited capacity of these settlement conferences. This training addresses important considerations for lawyers willing to represent homeowners in this capacity. Read More

New Approaches to Stabilizing Homeowners and Communities in Western NY
This taped broadcast is geared towards housing counselors, legal services organizations, lenders, public officials, community-based organizations, and anyone who is concerned with the impact of the foreclosure crisis on homeowners and neighborhoods in the western part of the State. Discussion topics include information about housing counseling standards, specialized foreclosure trainings, State programs addressing the foreclosure issue, and successful approaches to reducing foreclosures, among other topics. Read More