Advocates and officials brace for increase in foreclosures

A program that assists Pennsylvanians facing mortgage foreclosures is bracing for a wave of pandemic-related need, at the same time that it’s worrying about its own finances.

Some foreclosures are still happening now, though many are on hold; a foreclosure moratorium is in place until July 1 for homeowners with federally-backed mortgages.

Advocates say there will likely be an increase in foreclosures due to pandemic-related unemployment, though they don’t know yet how bad it will be.

“We expect that … the numbers are really going to increase once the forbearance programs expire, unless there’s some big government infusion of assistance,” said Catherine Martin, an attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, who helps people facing foreclosure.