If you are a New York resident and are having trouble paying your mortgage, or are at risk of foreclosure, contact a not-for-profit housing counselor in your area.

Not-for-profit housing counselors provide free, professional advice. They can help you assess your options, negotiate with your lender and find free legal services and other resources in your area.

New York not-for-profit housing counseling organizations are listed county-by-county at http://nysdhcr.gov/Programs/ForeclosurePrevention/CounselListing.htm and have received some type of public funding to provide foreclosure prevention services. Those agencies denoted with an “NIS” hyperlink have adopted National Industry Standards for Home Ownership Counseling to ensure that homeowners receive quality and professional counseling.

Call in advance to see if an appointment is necessary and what documents you should bring with you. Be wary of those who promise to help save your home from foreclosure in exchange for the payment of fees upfront. New York law prohibits the collection of such fees, except in limited circumstances.