SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS PLAN NATIONAL FORECLOSURE SETTLEMENT FUND

The following is a funding plan using the $200 million from the National Foreclosure Settlement Fund to bring needed relief to Florida families affected by foreclosure. FHFC/HARDEST HIT FUND A sum of $21 million be appropriated to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHCF): - $3 million of this per year over the next 3 years will be used for administrative costs associated with this act. - $4 million will be used by FHFC for administrative costs associated with the $840 Million Hardest Hit Program LEGAL AIDE - $36 million to the Department of Legal Affairs for legal aid services to low-income and moderate-income families in foreclosure for the next 3 years. This money will be used to help those in the most financially dire situations attain legal assistance as they move through the foreclosure process. FORECLOSURE COUNSELING $18 million for Foreclosure Counseling Services under the FHFC, to be spent over the next three years. This program is intended to educate homeowners on avoiding foreclosure and educate them on money management and assist them with credit problems. Housing for the Homeless - $15 million will be given to the FHCF to spend over the next three years to provide housing for homeless persons affected by the foreclosure process. This funding will help those hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis, those who have lost their home and literally have nowhere to live. SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) Funding A nonrecurring sum of around $58,580,474 will be given to SHIP in order for local governments to provide housing assistance for those who have lost their homes due to the foreclosure crisis or have been hardest hit by Foreclosure, in areas of Florida where the foreclosure crisis is the worst: $28 million will go towards the purchase of foreclosed properties $20 million will go towards rental deposit assistance for people (non-seniors) in foreclosure. $10 million will go towards rental deposit assistance for displaced seniors

COURT STAFF $30 million will be appropriated to the State Court System to provide supplemental resources such as the hiring of judges and temporary staff to expedite the foreclosure process, with proviso language requiring this money be spread out over the next 3 years. Technology Advancements appropriates an additional $5 million to the State Court System to provide technology solutions that expedite the foreclosure process.

CLERKS OF COURT - $15 million to the clerks of the court to enhance assistance and support services in expediting the process of backlogged foreclosure cases over the next three years. PROGRAM AWARENESS CAMPAIGN $2 million in nonrecurring funds to the Attorney General for an awareness program for consumers about the help these funds will provide.