At San Diego County Library, Foreclosure Clinics Draw a Crowd
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 2/20/2009
- Attorneys, housing experts, mortgage experts
- Advice is confidential
- Goal to have clinic each month
The San Diego County Library (SDCL), in partnership with the Housing Opportunities Collaborative (HOC) has been drawing crowds to free counseling sessions on foreclosure issues. People can schedule one-on-one meetings with an attorney and attend educational sessions on credit management, mortgage loans, bankruptcy, and consumer protection. The advice is confidential and the sessions are open only to those who register beforehand.
Some 200 people came to the first session, and attendees gave it universally positive feedback. “Our libraries not only provide books and materials about foreclosures and finances, we serve as a gathering place where we can partner with other agencies and provide hands-on support to our customers,” said José Aponte, 
SDCL’s director.
Two clinics have been held so far, and future ones are scheduled for March and April at different library branches. The library and its partners aim to host a clinic each month for the remainder of the year at various branches. SDCL also has compiled a Financial Self-Defense page on its web site.
