Following a raucous rally of over 100 people outside of city hall this evening, the Springfield City Council voted unanimously to approve the mandatory mediation and foreclosure requirements ordinances! The movement continues to build. Big thanks to all the groups who came out with NOLS/NSM and the Bank Tenants Association to support and rally for this ordinance (including AFSC, PVP, ADP, SEIU Community Action, Local 609, Local 1199, WMJWJ, MNA, UAW, NEON and MAAPL).
WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!
The ordinances would enact a city-run mandatory mediation program and increase requirements for foreclosing institutions, including charging foreclosing institutions a $10,000 cash-bond to assist the city in paying to secure and maintain vacant and foreclosed properties after foreclosure.
The ordinance will go back to the joint committee of finance and health & human services to finalize the implementation and details of the ordinance before coming up for final vote at the August 22nd City Council Hearing!
Over the past few months Springfield Bank Tenant Association members have been diligently calling City Councilors, testifying at Council and Committee meetings, and spreading the word. The BTA is also building a movement for an end to no-fault evictions; principal reduction in mortgage loan modifications; and opening up bank owned homes to house displaced residents!
For Immediate Release: City Council Unanimously passes anti-foreclosure ordinances –July 19th, 2011
City Ordinance: Mandatory Mediation
City Ordinance: Increase requirements on foreclosing institutions
NEWS COVERAGE:
WWLP/22 News, July 18th, 2011. By Barry Kriger
 WFCR: Springfield Passes First Vote of Foreclosure Measure. July 19th, 2011. By Karen Brown
Vijay Prashad: The Cost of War: an economic draft. July 29-31, Counterpunch Magazine
Fighting Foreclosure in the City of Homes. Valley Advocate. July 28th, 2011. By Maureen Turner
