The housing crisis has been hitting the nation hard with foreclosures. With the housing crisis hurting so many Ohio residents, the Ohio State University Extension is trying help people who are struggling to pay their mortgages.
The service brings the knowledge of the university to people's doors, according to the Web site. Resources are available in all 88 Ohio counties through the four Extension major program areas: Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, Community Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources.
With all the foreclosures occurring in Columbus, Susan Shockey, an associate professor and a family and consumer science educator with OSU Extension, said she's seen an increase of families in need.
"It's really increased tremendously since the year 2007," Shockey said. "Before we worked with limited income families with low income, then the concern became more of a middle class issue with people realizing they were over spending."
The service has worked with the Columbus Save program, which aims to help Columbus residents manage their money. Wealth coaches have been working with residents to manage their funds so they won't lose their homes. It also helps homeowners who are facing trouble, by helping them get their finances in order.
Another Extension program is Real Money Real World, which helps teach about cash management and setting financial goals. These programs are designed to be preventative, so families avoid financial crises, but now employees are backtracking to help troubled families move forward.
When it comes down to it, Shockey said, their services are unique because they are personal.
"I think sometimes people get cold-hearted and think it's just money," she said. "We as individuals are socially, emotionally, mentally and physically involved."
Theresa Attalla can be reached at attalla.1@osu.edu.
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