Sens. Cortez Masto, Senators Urge Federal Agencies and Mortgage Lenders to Assist Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico Ahead of Looming Foreclosure Crisis

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a bipartisan group of senators in a letter to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, urging them to help hurricane victims keep their homes as they rebuild and recover from Hurricane Maria's devastation. Puerto Rico is on track for a foreclosure crisis that could surpass the worst of the Las Vegas housing crisis nearly a decade ago, and Hurricane Maria has reportedly worsened delinquency in mortgage payments. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

While the federal government has imposed a temporary moratorium on foreclosures, it is set to expire in early 2018 before homeowners could sufficiently recover, and before electricity is even fully restored on the island. Cortez Masto requests that mortgage lenders extend the foreclosure moratorium for an additional 12 months to provide relief for homeowners still struggling to get back on their feet.

"While victims of the storm work to pick up the pieces of their lives and repair homes that in many cases are still without electricity, they should not also be at risk of losing their homes and having their life savings wiped out," the senators said. "We write to you today to ask that you do everything in your power to assist victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with keeping their homes in the aftermath of that terrible storm.

The senators continued, "People in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands attempting to get back on their feet and rebuild their islands should not have to worry about evictions, late fees, negative credit reports or any other financial burdens they may now be experiencing due to no fault of their own."

A copy of the letter can be found below:

To Secretary Carson, Mr. Layton, and Mr. Mayopoulos:

As you know, in September of this year a devastating hurricane swept through the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, killing dozens and leaving the islands' housing stock and infrastructure severely damaged. While victims of the storm work to pick up the pieces of their lives and repair homes that in many cases are still without electricity, they should not also be at risk of losing their homes and having their life savings wiped out. We write to you today to ask that you do everything in your power to assist victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with keeping their homes in the aftermath of that terrible storm.

We greatly appreciate that HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have imposed temporary moratoriums on foreclosures in Puerto Rico. However, we are concerned that the moratorium by HUD will expire on March 18, 2018, while the moratorium by Fannie and Freddie is set to expire on March 31, 2018. That is, these foreclosure moratoriums could potentially end before electricity and other essential services are fully restored to the islands.

Therefore, we ask that you extend the foreclosure moratorium for an additional twelve (12) months and provide additional relief to affected homeowners. This relief should include more expansive options to keep families in their homes. For example:

* During the moratorium period, no mortgage payment should come due and no additional interest charges should accrue. At the end of the moratorium, the term of the loan should be extended by the duration of the forbearance period to allow homeowners to repay the mortgage principle and interest that was unpaid under the moratorium;

* Giving homeowners twelve (12) months to repay any outstanding escrow balances that accrued during the moratorium;

* Waiving any late fees associated with missed mortgage payments;

* Suspending negative reports to credit bureaus associated with late or missed payments;

* Expediting insurance payments to homeowners and loosening or waiving requirements for insurance payouts where appropriate; and

* Advising mortgage servicers that written communications with homeowners, including court documents related to foreclosure proceedings, include copies that have been translated into Spanish.

People in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands attempting to get back on their feet and rebuild their islands should not have to worry about evictions, late fees, negative credit reports or any other financial burdens they may now be experiencing due to no fault of their own. We appreciate your attention to these matters and your support of the American citizens affected by this disaster.

Sincerely,