Here's How to Get Started

We, the people of (name of city or county), pledge our wholehearted support for those homeowners in our community who are facing the hardship of foreclosure and eviction. As concerned residents, and various types of bodies with close ties to this community, we affirm our common purpose of ensuring the well-being of our entire community by responding with compassion, creativity and commitment to the foreclosure crisis. We recognize that while the foreclosure crisis affects everyone in different ways we must respond as a unified community to find lasting solutions. Therefore, in a spirit of trust and hope in a better future to come, we hereby declare (name of city or county) to be a Foreclosure Prevention Zone on this ___ day of __________, 2012.

1. ORGANIZE broad support and participation from key sectors in the community. Discuss the FPZ concept with homeowners and renters, financial institutions, religious congregations, civic and social organizations, local government, small businesses, schools, medical facilities, labor unions, artists and musicians and others. Ask them to participate by (a) signing the FPZ Declaration; (b) visiting people who are facing foreclosure and eviction to offer support and assistance; and, (c) participating in nonviolent direct actions such as occupying the homes of people facing foreclosure and eviction.

2. EDUCATE the general public about the foreclosure crisis. Contact local media about potential news stories, write letters to the editor and submit opinion articles. Offer to speak at public events, business groups, religious congregations and schools. Provide printed information (such as leaflets and articles) at various community and organizational gatherings. Identify speakers, such as professors, lawyers, realtors and representatives from non-profit and social service organizations, who can (a) discuss the impact of the foreclosure crisis on local communities and (b) offer lasting solutions. Hold a public forum on the foreclosure crisis and invite homeowners and renters to tell their stories. Make signs, banners and posters for protests and other events. Ask radio and television stations to feature this topic on their shows.

3. ADVOCATE with homeowners and renters for effective action from government and lending institutions to implement lasting solutions for the foreclosure crisis. Ask your city council and county board of supervisors to pass the Resolution on the Declaration of a Foreclosure Prevention Zone. Contact your state and federal representatives and senators and ask them to hold hearings and pass legislation that addresses the foreclosure crisis and solutions. If they are already working to pass specific bills, build support in your community for the legislation. Demand that California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris file a lawsuit against lending institutions that have engaged in foreclosure fraud.

Listen to Michael Sauvante discuss his "Action Plan" for Counties, InterOccupy Call, 1/12/12