Since the last two years with the passage of a law Cleveland land-bank has been working with banks in bulldozing vacant properties that are beyond salvage. The vacant plots are coming to various uses – community gardens, extensions to churches and expanded parking lots.

With foreclosures persisting, the settlement talks getting bogged down with differences, many of the attorneys general are opting out of the investigating teams contending that not enough is being done to help the troubled house owners. The liberals do not want to give the banks release from bigger liabilities.

There was a lawsuit against developers of homes which stated that they were responsible for creating an illusionary real estate market. When the illusion was cleared, there were an increasing number of foreclosures and short sales. This resulted in chaotic neighbourhoods.

The one thing that has bloomed during the tough economic days is the business of arranging steamy love affairs. Divorce has become costly and for a negligible price one can let off steam and warmth from friendship. Online dating sites for divorcees and married persons are doing roaring business.

The federal government is thinking of converting the foreclosed houses it is sitting on into rentals. Since the outbreak of the crisis the demand for rentals has increased. People have turned away from house ownership. The government is asking for proposals for this conversion in joint partnership with private investors.

In Jamestown the house ownership numbers have dropped at an alarming rate following the foreclosure crisis. The health of the local economy depends on house owners. Many of the units are in a serious state of disrepair and are being demolished. These are eyesores and damaging adjoining property values.

Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) is a helpline for distressed homeowners who are on the verge of losing their homes to foreclosure. This organization has conducted studies and shown that borrowers are still optimistic of not losing their homes, and they have good reason to be so.

Although figures coming in seem to indicate an end to the crisis, many residents ofBronxcontinued to be haunted by fears of lien sales as well as foreclosure. Recently West Bronx Homeowner Resource Fair was held. It attracted many participants seeking advice and help.