Yusuf Salaam thought everything would be fine when he signed a renegotiated home loan agreement with his mortgage lender, American Servicing Company (ASC).
However, the Roselawn resident says that despite doing everything he was asked to do when he got behind in his mortgage payments, ACS is still pursing foreclosure action on his property.
"When you do everything that they ask you to do and they rescind that agreement for no apparent reason, yes, you do feel somewhat victimized," Salaam said.
Rick Williams, President of the Home Ownership Center (HOC) in Corryville, says he's worried that Salaam's case is becoming more commonplace. HOC has handled half-a-dozen cases this year and Williams fears there could be more in Greater Cincinnati that have not been reported.
"There are so many foreclosures in this community that we cannot afford for anyone to advertise that this is what you need to do, follow the rules and then in the end the foreclosure continues," Williams stated.
Salaam's case began when he got behind in his mortgage payments and sought help. He got it by calling the foreclosure prevention phone-a-thon in June. HOC Program Manager LaKicia Roseman was assigned to the case.
Roseman got in touch with ASC and worked out a new loan with the help of over $3,200 from the Ohio Rescue Loan Fund. The deal was signed in July.
However, ACS allegedly refused to accept Salaam's payments and held on to the Ohio check.
Legal Aid Attorney Elizabeth Tull was brought in to file suit to have ACS honor its agreement.
"If we weren't in Mr. Salaam's case, his house would have went to sheriff's sale," Roseman said. "We go the extra mile for the client. We try to be their best advocate."
Williams says it's critical for anyone in a similar position to seek professional help.
The Salaam case is winding its way through Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Meanwhile, he and his family remain worried.
"I don't have anyplace else to go," he said. "I'd like to keep the house."
"We're capable in terms of making our monthly payments," Salaam continued. "I see no reason why they didn't honor the agreement."
Roseman says she's optimistic about a favorable outcome to her client.
"We think we have all the documentation necessary to prove this in court," she said. "We have all the confidence in Legal Aid that they're going to work this out."
ACS has retained the Cincinnati law firm of Lerner Sampson & Rothfuss in the Salaam case. Attorney Susanna Lykins did not respond to a request for comment.
