Proposed bill gives states power to refinance loans

WASHINGTON -- Homeowners in danger of losing their property may find relief in a bill that would allow states to refinance subprime loans.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., would permit states to sell up to $15 billion in bonds, allowing housing authorities to offer refinancing options to embattled mortgage holders.

Meanwhile, on Monday, six major lenders agreed to widen their efforts to help borrowers of all loans -- not just subprime -- and allow seriously overdue homeowners to suspend foreclosures for 30 days while affordable loans are worked out.

The plan, called Project Lifeline, is to be announced today by the Treasury Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a person familiar with the plan said Monday evening, confirming earlier news reports and speaking on a condition of anonymity because it had not yet been made public.

On a pilot basis, the plan will initially involve six of the largest mortgage lenders, in hopes that more lenders will sign on. The participants are Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc., Countrywide Financial Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo & Co.

All six are involved in the so-called Hope Now plan, a deal the Bush administration brokered late last year with the mortgage industry to freeze rates on some high-cost subprime mortgages for five years to aid borrowers whose introductory "teaser" rates are jumping sharply higher. Since then, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has urged lenders to expand that effort to cover struggling homeowners with conventional mortgages.

The new plan applies to seriously delinquent homeowners, those whose mortgages are 90 days or more past due.

The legislation would temporarily change a section of IRS code currently available only to first-time home buyers. Families that had taken out home loans between Dec. 31, 2001, and Jan. 1, could qualify.

"Expanding this bonding authority will help ensure that Nevada families keep their homes by offering sustainable refinancing options," Porter said when he introduced the bill on Feb. 6.

There are about 6.16 million subprime mortgages in the United States, risky loans offered to borrowers with less than ideal credit histories. About 1.8 million subprime loans carry adjustable interest rates that are expected to rise in 2008, putting more families at risk.

Nevada's foreclosure rate ranked highest in the nation in 2007, with 3.4 percent of households beginning foreclosure filings, according to a real estate tracking company.

RealtyTrac reported 66,316 foreclosure filings on 34,417 properties in Nevada during 2007.

Porter joins a line of lawmakers who are trying to come up with ways to ease foreclosure emergencies. Others have proposed freezing adjustable rate mortgages, allowing tax credits on mortgages and allowing bankruptcy courts to restructure home payments.

The Nevadan's approach would bring relief without "artificially altering the housing markets," Porter spokesman Matt Leffingwell said.

The National Council of State Housing Agencies estimates that about 80,000 families could be helped by the bill.

Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., have sponsored a similar bill. They attempted to attach it to the Senate's economic stimulus package this month, but it was ultimately removed.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday the Senate is putting together a suite of foreclosure bills that would include Kerry's measure.

If Porter is promoting that bill in the House, "maybe he can get the White House to go along," Reid said.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau reporter Sara Spivey at sspivey@stephensmedia.com or (202) 783-1760.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.