AG’s Office Rejects Voter Referendum to Overturn Foreclosure Law

Posted on January 20, 2016 by MAAPL

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has turned down a “Ten Voter” petition to put the legislature’s hurriedly passed Chapter 141 of the acts of 2015, “An Act Clearing Titles to Foreclosed Properties,” on the ballot as a voter referendum. Healey will not permit voters to revoke the legislature’s passage of the Financial Industry’s recent law. Practically, this law will deny the majority of state residents’ right to sue to regain their illegally foreclosed homes by sharply reducing the time period during which homeowners can take their case to court.

Download MAAPL’s press release on the Attorney General’s decision ( PDF )

Posted in Current News, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Need YOU to Flyer an MLK Event Near You!

Posted on January 16, 2016 by MAAPL

MAAPL is reaching out to communities of color to let them know about the Bring Our Wealth Home! campaign. You can help us spread the word by handing out the BOWH! brochure at Martin Luther King Day events throughout the weekend and on Monday.

PLEASE help out–we need people to flyer at events in Lynn, Quincy, Cambridge, Greenfield, Fitchburg, Fall River, Boston, Duxbury, Holyoke, and dozens of other communities that need to be covered!

For more information and to sign up to flyer at an event near you, contact us at maaplinfo@yahoo.com

Download the double-sided brochure ( PDF ) and print it out at home or a local copy shop. Let us know if you can’t print the brochure, and we’ll arrange to get you printed copies to hand out.

Thanks For Your Help! When We Fight, We Win!

 

Posted in Take Action! | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Action Alert: MAAPL Press Conference Weds, Dec. 30th at 11 am

Posted on December 29, 2015 by MAAPL

The Mass. Alliance Against Predatory Lending (MAAPL) and Community Partners Announce the Next Phase of State-Wide Campaign to “BRING OUR WEALTH HOME!”

Press Conference Features Homeowners and Community Leaders Speaking Out on Illegal Foreclosures, Targeted Predatory Loans, and the Fight for Justice and the Return of Wealth Illegally Taken from Our Communities.

Location:
Tent City, 130 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA

Date/Time:
Wednesday, December 30th, 2015
Gather at 10:30am – Press Conference at 11am!

Calling for a coming together, the African American community and other allies of color must lead efforts to reverse a massive attack on our community. This attack has been mistakenly identified as harm to individuals who were scammed into signing on to vastly overpriced predatory loans. We now know that black people and other communities of color (and then, women heads of household) were, in fact, targeted knowingly for these predatory loans by financial players across the world.

We believe, trust and know the time is “ripe for us to do right” as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said. We must come together and recognize this is no matter of some few individuals that bought “too much house”, but rather an intentional industry-wide creation of mortgages “that were doomed to fail,” as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has named them. Moreover, we know that these toxic mortgages were purposefully directed to our communities – with the purpose to strip them of equity, create instability and hasten the turnover of property from the long-term black residents to the investors who stood in the wings chortling in anticipation of what was to happen.

A Katrina without water is what happened. We have lost at minimum $12 billion in wealth and an untold disruption to family and community networks. We have been swindled. This is a Land Grab designed to rob us of our wealth, which we built from our labor. This is the newest version of an attack that has been waged against us in one iteration or another for more than four hundred years.

We expect our press conference to be during Kwanzaa – standing in the tradition of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, particularly Kujichagilia, Self-Determination, we call you to join us and fight back. At our press conference, we expect to have some homeowners who were directly targeted and illegally had their homes taken away due to foreclosures, and also have key community leaders to speak to this injustice and our organizing campaign to Bring Our Wealth Home. This is the beginning of what will be a much larger, coordinated community effort to launch and maintain our campaign to call it what it is – an illegal Land Grab – and address the injustice. When we have created the community-wide understanding necessary to support the people who must individually fight back, we will Bring Our Wealth Home that was illegally taken!

– Zakiya Alake, Union of Minority Neighborhoods, Inc. (UMN), liaison to Mass. Alliance Against Predatory Lending

857-251-0680 zakiyarox@gmail.com

WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!

Posted in For Your Information, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

URGENT! Call Now to Stop S.2057!

Posted on November 23, 2015 by MAAPL

We’ve just learned that Senate Bill 2057, the re-numbered S.2015 that we’ve been fighting against, has been voted on and  passed in both House and Senate. It moves now to the Governor to make a decision to sign or veto by 11/29/15!

In the industry’s HUGE rush, we have weakened the bill significantly…

BUT a bill designed to strip hundreds of years of constitutional rights to property must never be implemented! A bill ratifying tens of thousands of illegal foreclosures with false promises of cleared property records, of money damages and of protections for those still in their homes post-foreclosure – NONE of it true… The unprecedented wealth transfer to the very wealthiest, the pillaging of working people, people of color, women must be reversed!

This is NOT the time to let the industry’s lies and abuse of our legislative process, let their bill to protect all the illegal foreclosures and sweep under the carpet the even more pervasive illegalities!

Make 1 call for Justice NOW – as soon as you read this – #1call4justice!

Call Massachusetts Governor Baker at:

Phone: 617.725.4005

888.870.7770 (in state)

OR

413.784.1200
(if we can fill those tapes, leave a message in DC at Phone: 202.624.7713)

AND consider a fax to:
Fax: 617.727.9725

Message:

“Veto Senate 2057 (was S.2015) – 

  • It does not clear titles,
  • It ratifies the illegal taking of property from Massachusetts residents in violation of our constitutional property rights
  • It does NOT guarantee money damages not already available; it does not exempt those still in their homes;

The financial industry says 40,000 with probable illegal foreclosures would have their right to sue for their homes slashed – we say 60,000!

10s of Billions from illegal foreclosures will not be forced to be returned to Massachusetts!

My name is [your name] and I live in [your town]”

Please help spread the word! Pass this message to your friends, family, networks and contacts! Make your first call NOW, then alert your lists… (if you Share this on Facebook or Tweet this post, please use the hashtag #1call4justice).

We’ve stopped this bill before–
there’s still time to stop it again with your help!

 

Posted in Current News, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Foreclosures Up in MA, 61% Increase From Last Year

Posted on November 8, 2015 by MAAPL

The Boston Globe has reported that foreclosure starts in Massachusetts in September, 2015 have increased 61% from the figure reported in the same month last year. According to the Warren Group, a Boston real estate publisher, the rise in foreclosure petitions is due to a backlog of foreclosures that were delayed pending the outcome of court cases and regulatory decisions that affect such cases.

Figures released by RealtyTrac®, the nation’s leading source for comprehensive housing data, confirm this trend. According to the Q3 and September 2015 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report™, third quarter foreclosure activity increased in 32 states, including Massachusetts, over last year’s rate.

“In states such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York, a flood of deferred distress from the last housing crisis is finally spilling over the legislative and legal dams that have held back some foreclosure activity for years. That deferred distress often represents properties with deferred maintenance that will sell at more deeply discounted prices, creating a drag on overall home values.”

RealtyTrac reports that Boston experienced a 51% increase in foreclosure activity in Q3 of 2015 over the same period last year. Ten other large cities around the country experienced increases in foreclosure activity, including St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Posted in Current News, For Your Information | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More Opposition, Arguments Against S2015

Posted on October 13, 2015 by MAAPL

UPDATE: MAAPL has updated its S2015 Factsheet ( PDF ) and created a new Factsheet: Who is Harmed/Who is Helped By S2015? ( PDF ). Download both Factsheets to learn more about why S2015 is harmful to Massachusetts homeowners and will not clear title to foreclosed homes!

“Massachusetts Law and Limitation of Actions Challenging Foreclosure” ( PDF ) by Sarah McKee, a legal memo that examines issues related to S2015, specifically those dealing with the practice of foreclosure by entry, is also now available to download.

—–

MAAPL has received the following three letters from experts in the legal and title research fields and from prominent leaders in Massachusetts communities of color raising important arguments against S2015, which is facing a vote in the MA House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 14th.

  • Senate 2015 “Unconstitutional” says National Constitutional Expert ( PDF )
  • Senate 2015 Would Codify Massive Harm to Communities of Color ( PDF )
  • We Cannot Use Senate 2015, Say Title Examiners ( PDF )

The grave concerns raised by these experts and community leaders demonstrate the dangers to Massachusetts homeowners, neighborhoods and communities posed by S2015.

Please join us in opposing this bill–MAAPL’s Call-In Day is today: Tuesday, October 13th! Call or email your State Representative NOW to tell them to vote NO ON S2015!

Posted in For Your Information, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on More Opposition, Arguments Against S2015

Action Alert: Call Your Rep. TODAY, 10/13 to Stop S2015!

Posted on October 13, 2015 by MAAPL

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14th, 2015, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will vote on S2015: the Title Insurers’ bill to confiscate our constitutional property rights and curtail our right to sue to regain illegally foreclosed property. This is the same bill as S1981–it was renumbered after it passed the Senate in September. Today, we need to let our State Representatives know that S2015 is bad for Massachusetts homeowners, families and communities!

Late Friday afternoon, we learned that S2015 had been quietly scheduled for a vote tomorrow. MAAPL is holding a Call-In Day today, Tuesday, October 13th. Your Representative needs to hear from you on this bill! MAAPL will file amendments and fight hard to stop this bill’s bad elements, but your call urging your Representative to oppose the bill and to support MAAPL’s proposed amendments will help us win. The Legislature couldn’t take away our rights last summer–They won’t be successful this year either.

Read and download the updated Fact Sheet on S2015 here ( PDF )

Please make your call and/or send your email now! Choose from one of these three quick messages…

Vote NO on S2015.  It doesn’t clear title to illegally foreclosed homes:

  • S2015 strips us of our constitutional property rights and reverses key court decisions enforcing vital mortgage contract rights.
  • 68,000 Massachusetts homeowners were illegally foreclosed in the past 10 years. Banks must be held accountable for their illegal foreclosures.
  • The loans on most Massachusetts homes foreclosed in the past decade were illegal and the homes were over-priced. Denying these homeowners the right to the full time period to sue is unfair.

Don’t know your Rep’s phone number or e-mail address?
Go to www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com, and type in your street address. It will tell you who your elected officials are. Scroll down the page and click on your Representative’s name to see their phone number and email address. Make a note of this information so you can make your call and send your email to them.

Thanks for making your call and sending your email–together we can win against the threat of S2015!

Posted in For Your Information, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Action Alert: Call or Email Your Rep. Today–Stop S2015!

Posted on October 11, 2015 by MAAPL

MAAPL has learned that this Wednesday, October 14th, 2015, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will vote on S2015: the Title Insurers’ bill to confiscate our constitutional property rights and curtail our right to sue to regain illegally foreclosed property. This is the same bill as S1981–it was renumbered after it passed the Senate in September.

Today, you can make a difference and help us fight against this bill! Simply make a quick call, email, or both to your state Representative and tell them: Vote NO on S2015!

Choose from one of these three quick messages…

Vote NO on S2015.  It doesn’t clear title to illegally foreclosed homes:

  • S2015 strips us of our constitutional property rights and reverses key court decisions enforcing vital mortgage contract rights.
  • 68,000 Massachusetts homeowners were illegally foreclosed in the past 10 years. Banks must be held accountable for their illegal foreclosures.
  • The loans on most Massachusetts homes foreclosed in the past decade were illegal and the homes were over-priced. Denying these homeowners the right to the full time period to sue is unfair.

Don’t know your Rep’s phone number or e-mail address?
Go to www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com, and type in your street address. It will tell you who your elected officials are. Scroll down the page and click on your Representative’s name to see their phone number and email address. Make a note of this information so you can make your call and send your email to them.

Stay tuned for more information about this Tuesday’s big Call-In Day with more detailed education for our Reps!

Thanks for making your call and sending your email–together we can win against the threat of S2015!

Posted in For Your Information, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

DC Day of Action on Fannie and Freddie

Posted on October 11, 2015 by MAAPL

Here are some news stories from the recent Day of Action on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that took place in Washington, DC on Wednesday, September 30th.

Warren Demands HUD Curb Sales of Sour Mortgage Loans to Private Equity. Bloomberg, Sept 30, 2015 By Cheyenne Hopkins and Heather Perlberg

Hedge Funds: The Ultimate Absentee Landlords.
The American Prospect, Sept 29, 2015 By Peter Dreier & Aditi Sen

Elizabeth Warren protests sale of distressed home loans to Wall Street.
AlJazeera America, September 30, 2015

Hedge Funds Keep Winning Government Auctions to Buy Single Family Homes. Elizabeth Warren is Crying Foul. Think Progress, Sept 30, 2015 By Alan Pyke

Elizabeth Warren is on the Hunt Again. Washington Post, Sept 30, 2015 By Dana Milbank

FHFA to housing protesters:  Neighborhood stabilization is shared priority. Housing Wire, Sept 30, 2015 By Trey Garrison

Elizabeth Warren Leads Protest of Agency NPL Practices. DS News, Sept 30, 2015

Senator Elizabeth Warren to Join Call to Alter Sales of Distressed Loans. New York Times, Sept 30, 2015 By Matthew Goldstein

Posted in For Your Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Action Alert: Boston Right to Remain Assembly on Oct. 3rd, 2015

Posted on September 29, 2015 by MAAPL

Gentrification is hitting Boston hard, perhaps harder than foreclosures themselves have hit residents. In recognition of this fact, the Boston #Right2Remain 2015 Assembly is a collective effort to highlight and support the inner-connections of our neighborhood Stabilization Fights and build power and support for passing Just Cause Eviction.

Show Boston We Have the #Right2Remain, and We Mean Business!

Join hundreds of renters, home-owners, low-income residents, people of color and immigrants at the Boston #Right2Remain Coalition’s 2015 Assembly – Grassroots Power to Remain, Reclaim, Rebuild Boston on:

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Assembly: 9:30 am-1 pm
Location: Vietnamese American Community Center (VACC)
42 Charles St, Dorchester (near the Fields Corner stop on the Red Line)

Collective Action: 1-2 pm
Location: Gather at the Fields Corner T stop on the Red Line, at the Charles St. exit

Hundreds will gather and direct testimony about the citywide displacement crisis toward city council candidates, who will be invited to attend the morning plenary. Grassroots activists will also plan strategies and tactics for passing Just Cause Eviction, breaking down by city council district, and will share a variety of organizing approaches to the displacement crisis through interactive and cultural activities. Topics will include inclusionary development policy, community land trusts and community control of public land, creation of neighborhood stabilization zones, and struggles for local hiring and community benefit standards.

Make sure your voice is heard and our community is strong on critical issues of housing, zoning, jobs, land and transit policies that our communities are actively fighting for. Advance the campaign for a #JustCauseEviction law, and build shared power among Boston’s communities to stand united for our #Right2Remain and influence Boston’s 2015 Municipal Elections.

Register today (lunch is included) and learn more at bit.ly/BostonAssembly

You can also visit the Facebook Event page for updated information.

Contacts: Darnell Johnson, Right to the City Boston at Boston@righttothecity.org or
Kadineyse Ramize Pena, Boston Tenant Coalition at Kadineyse@bostontenant.org

Help spread the word!
Flyers are available in English ( PDF )
and Spanish ( PDF ).

Posted in For Your Information, Take Action! | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment