Predatory mortgage lending targeted

Instead of borrowing trouble, officials hope home buyers will take some free advice instead.

Local government and nonprofit agencies, along with mortgage giant Freddie Mac, are trying to reduce predatory lending practices through a campaign called Don't Borrow Trouble Pima County. The consumer campaign is based on a Freddie Mac program that has been used in more than 40 metropolitan areas across the country.

Freddie Mac says predatory lending can include repeatedly refinancing a loan over a short period of time while charging fees, including those for credit insurance, without fully disclosing the charge, and charging rates above what a borrower would qualify for.

The program is beginning with a publicity campaign about the dangers of predatory lending and a local hot line, 792-3087. The hot line offers advice about mortgages and referrals to local agencies for more information.

Although a full-time program coordinator has yet to be hired, calls are being taken at the hot line. Each call will be "triaged" and referred to agencies that may be able to offer advice or help, said Sandy Fagan of the Southwest Fair Housing Council.

The yearlong program has a budget of about $67,000, not including in-kind contributions from participants, said county Supervisor Richard Elias, whose office will oversee the program. The AARP, the state Attorney General's Office, Hughes Federal Credit Union and Southern Arizona Legal Aid are among the more than two dozen participants.

Elias said he hopes to expand the program by finding new funding sources and bringing in more participants, such as local mortgage brokers.