Jan Marshall talks in the living room of her Hixson home about how she was helped by CNE’s Hardest Hit Fund, a program that tries to prevent foreclosures.
Staff Photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free PressWhere to get helpThe Hardest Hit Funds program is available to people who have been unemployed or suffered a major income loss in the past couple of years and are facing foreclosure.• In Tennessee, applications and questions may be directed to CNE’s foreclosure hot line at 664-HOME (4663).• In Georgia, people may apply for the Hardest Hit Funds on the web at www.homesafegeorgia.com.By the numbers441 – Number of property foreclosures in the first five months of 2011 in Hamilton County603 – Number of property foreclosures in the first five months of 2010 in Hamilton County441 – Number of Chattanoogans who have sought CNE assistance for foreclosure prevention so far in 2011330 – Number of Chattanoogans who sought CNE assistance for foreclosure prevention in all of 2010Sources: Hamilton County Register of Deeds, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises
Jan Marshall lost her mother two years ago, her job last year and nearly her home this year.
But a new federal program is helping the 53-year-old homeowner keep her Forest Plaza house and could help nearly 7,000 other disabled or unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosure.
Marshall, whose mother died of cancer in 2009, was diagnosed with her own cancer during spring break from her job at Girls Preparatory School last year. While undergoing chemotherapy to fight a rare type of colon cancer last summer, Marshall had to give up her job and most of her savings until her disability checks began coming in six months later.
“I’ve always worked and paid my bills, but with all the medical bills and no money coming in, it was overwhelming,” Marshall recalled Thursday. “I was truly afraid I was going to lose my house.”