Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

311 service refers callers to debt counselors

BY JENNIFER BJORHUS
Pioneer Press

Nov. 16, 2006

The same 311 number that Minneapolis residents can dial to gripe about the neighbor's dog or inquire about library hours now also will direct homeowners facing one of life's most serious questions: What do I do if I'm losing my house?

In a clear sign of the times, Minneapolis has added foreclosure prevention to the 311 one-stop call center the city launched earlier this year, allowing residents to avoid the phone-book fumble and make one call to reach myriad city departments. Minneapolis homeowners at risk of foreclosure can dial 311 and get patched through to counselors at either the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council or Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

Chicago and Baltimore have similarly beefed up their 311 systems to get at-risk homeowners help. St. Paul has no plans for a 311 city phone number, according to the St. Paul mayor's office. Homeowners outside Minneapolis or using cell phones can reach the 311 center by calling 612-673-3000, but the system isn't set up to immediately connect people outside Minneapolis with foreclosure help. The 311 operators will refer them to the South St. Paul-based Home Ownership Center at 651-659-9336, said Minneapolis spokesman Casper Hill.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak announced the new service Wednesday at a press conference in a foreclosed home in North Minneapolis, ground zero for rising foreclosures in the Twin Cities. Like St. Paul, Minneapolis has been struggling with surging foreclosures. At least 2,419 homes in Hennepin County have been sold in sheriff's sales so far this year, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department, up from last year's total 1,681. Hill called the 311 service the city's first effort at reducing foreclosures.Minneapolis foreclosure-prevention pros applauded the move.

"I think the city is finally starting to respond to the increasing number of foreclosures," said Karen Johnson, who manages the mortgage-foreclosure-prevention program at the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council in Minneapolis.

Jennifer Bjorhus can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 651-228-2146.