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Foreclosure Crisis

How Banks and Government Fail Homeowners

Systemic failures at the country's banks and mortgage servicers have exacerbated the most severe foreclosure crisis since the Great Depression, making it extremely difficult for struggling homeowners to win a loan modification. Government efforts to limit the damage have fallen woefully short.

161 stories published since 2009

Bank of America Lied to Homeowners and Rewarded Foreclosures, Former Employees Say

For Most Homeowners, Gov't Foreclosure Deal Brings A Few Hundred Bucks

Feds Replace Flawed Foreclosure Review With Vague $8.5 Billion Settlement

As Foreclosure Crisis Drags On, So Does Flawed Government Response

Cheat Sheet: BofA Supplied Default Answers for 'Independent' Foreclosure Claims Reviewers

Exec Who Allegedly Enabled Fraud Runs Chase’s Effort to Compensate Foreclosure Victims

Read the Documents Treasury Has Been Keeping Secret

Secret Documents Show Weak Oversight of Key Foreclosure Program

Why Florida is Sitting on $300 Million Meant to Help Homeowners

Where Are the Foreclosure Deal Millions Going in Your State?

Doubts About Independent Foreclosure Review Spread

Is BofA’s Foreclosure Review Really Independent? You Be the Judge

Foreclosure Fail: Study Pins Blame on Big Banks

Big Foreclosure Compensation, But Only for the Right Wrongs

Guiding You Through the Govt's Foreclosure Compensation Maze

Billion Dollar Bait & Switch: States Divert Foreclosure Deal Funds

Big Banks Slack on Maintaining Foreclosed Homes in Minority Areas, Complaint Charges

Excerpt: At Goldman Sachs Servicer, 'Total Disaster'

Ask Paul Kiel Your Questions on the Foreclosure Crisis

The Great American Foreclosure Story: The Struggle for Justice and a Place to Call Home

Video: The Great American Foreclosure Song

Lack of Competition Stifles Refinance Program for Underwater Homeowners

Breaking Down the Mortgage Settlement: How Far Does $26 Billion Go?

Four Whistleblowers Who Sounded the Alarm on Banks' Mortgage Shenanigans

What Do Republican Presidential Candidates Say on Foreclosure Crisis? Not Much.

Homeowners Who Negotiate Debt Relief Could Soon Face Massive Tax Bill

The Best, Most Revealing Reporting on the Foreclosure Crisis

How Citibank Dumped Lousy Mortgages on the Government

Obama Housing Plans vs. Reality

Will Mortgage Settlement Avoid Repeating Obama’s Foreclosure Failures?

Why Millions Won't Get Help From Big Mortgage Settlement

Underwater Homeowners May Swim Freely

Still Waiting for Cleanup in Foreclosure Mess

Foreclosure Crisis: The Story So Far

Flaws Jeopardize New Attempt to Help Homeowners

Our FAQ on The National Foreclosure Settlement and Independent Foreclosure Review

Surprise on Refi Revamp: Key Regulator Agrees to Major Program Reforms

Our Guide to Obama’s Floundering Foreclosure Programs

Secret Docs Show Foreclosure Watchdog Doesn’t Bark or Bite

One Obstacle to Obama's New Plan to Help Homeowners: A Gov't Regulator

Nevada Wallops Bank of America With Sweeping Suit; Nationwide Foreclosure Settlement in Peril

Billions Meant for Struggling Homeowners May Pay Down Deficit Instead

Internal Doc Reveals GMAC Filed False Document in Bid to Foreclose

FDIC Chairwoman: Mortgage Industry 'Didn't Think Borrowers Were Worth Helping'

Bank Errors Continue to Cause Wrongful Foreclosures

Better Late Than Never? Gov’t Finally Penalizes Major Banks for Mortgage Mod Failures

Profiles: Shoddy Bank Practices Continue Even After Mortgage Mods

Even After Mortgage Modification, Shoddy Bank Practices Hurt Homeowners

In Fine Print, Banks Require Struggling Homeowners to Waive Rights

Were You Forced to Waive Your Rights to Get Help?

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

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