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President promotes housing-rescue plan during visit to state Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Carolyn Pierson came away from a discussion with President Bush feeling the president was truly concerned about the plight of many homeowners facing high mortgage payments and possible foreclosure. Pierson was among participants in a roundtable discussion with Bush on Tuesday on the financial difficulties facing homeowners. The hour-long meeting was held at the Family Service Agency Inc., a family debt counseling agency in North Little Rock. "I thought he was well prepared, he puts you at ease right away," said Pierson, a Jacksonville resident who plans to move into her new home this weekend after overcoming a debt crisis with the aid of counseling. "Mostly he listened," Pierson said. "After that, he told us how they are trying to simplify the paperwork with HUD and trying to get a bill passed in the next six months that would simplify things." Bush touted a $300 billion housing-rescue plan now stalled in the Senate that would back cheaper loans for people at risk of losing their homes. The president also was to headline a fundraiser for the state Republican Party in Little Rock. The weak economy, weak housing sales, falling home values and a tight lending market have left many homeowners unable to make their house payments and many are facing foreclosure. Also participating in the roundtable discussion were U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, several debt counselors and Patty Couch of Conway. Couch, a homeowner, talked about falling behind on her mortgage payments because of medical expenses and how the debt counseling agency helped her dig her way out. Pierson, who moved to Arkansas in 1994, is an accounts payable assistant at the Jacksonville Medical Clinic. She said she received free budget counseling and was eventually able to get out of debt and begin saving for a home. Charles Deville, executive director of the Family Service Agency, said he was pleased with the roundtable discussion and the opportunity to meet the president. "I think the president is concerned about the number of people across the country who are dealing with mortgage payments they have fallen behind on and the importance of reaching out for help across the country," Deville said. Several hundred people were expected to attend the private fundraiser for the Republican Party of Arkansas at the home of George O'Conner. State GOP chairman Dennis Milligan and he did not know how much money the event was expected to raise. Tickets to a reception were $150, and attendees could be photographed with the president for $5,000 each. ------- The Associated Press contributed to this report |
