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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

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Feds Replace Flawed Foreclosure Review With Vague $8.5 Billion Settlement

by Paul Kiel,

As Foreclosure Crisis Drags On, So Does Flawed Government Response

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Read the Documents Treasury Has Been Keeping Secret

by Paul Kiel,

Secret Documents Show Weak Oversight of Key Foreclosure Program

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Cora Currier,

Where Are the Foreclosure Deal Millions Going in Your State?

by Paul Kiel, Cora Currier and Lena V. Groeger,

Doubts About Independent Foreclosure Review Spread

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Foreclosure Fail: Study Pins Blame on Big Banks

by Paul Kiel,

Big Foreclosure Compensation, But Only for the Right Wrongs

by Paul Kiel,

Guiding You Through the Govt's Foreclosure Compensation Maze

by Paul Kiel,

Billion Dollar Bait & Switch: States Divert Foreclosure Deal Funds

by Paul Kiel and Cora Currier,

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

by Cora Currier,

Excerpt: At Goldman Sachs Servicer, 'Total Disaster'

by Paul Kiel,

Ask Paul Kiel Your Questions on the Foreclosure Crisis

by ProPublica,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Video: The Great American Foreclosure Song

by ProPublica,

Lack of Competition Stifles Refinance Program for Underwater Homeowners

by Cora Currier,

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

by Cora Currier,

Four Whistleblowers Who Sounded the Alarm on Banks' Mortgage Shenanigans

by Cora Currier,

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

by Lois Beckett,

Homeowners Who Negotiate Debt Relief Could Soon Face Massive Tax Bill

by Lois Beckett,

The Best, Most Revealing Reporting on the Foreclosure Crisis

by Blair Hickman,

How Citibank Dumped Lousy Mortgages on the Government

by Cora Currier,

Obama Housing Plans vs. Reality

by Cora Currier,

Will Mortgage Settlement Avoid Repeating Obama’s Foreclosure Failures?

by Paul Kiel,

Why Millions Won't Get Help From Big Mortgage Settlement

by Cora Currier,

Underwater Homeowners May Swim Freely

by Lena V. Groeger,

Still Waiting for Cleanup in Foreclosure Mess

by Marian Wang,

Foreclosure Crisis: The Story So Far

by ProPublica,

Flaws Jeopardize New Attempt to Help Homeowners

by Paul Kiel,

Our FAQ on The National Foreclosure Settlement and Independent Foreclosure Review

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Our Guide to Obama’s Floundering Foreclosure Programs

by Lois Beckett,

Secret Docs Show Foreclosure Watchdog Doesn’t Bark or Bite

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Billions Meant for Struggling Homeowners May Pay Down Deficit Instead

by Lois Beckett,

Internal Doc Reveals GMAC Filed False Document in Bid to Foreclose

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Lois Beckett,

Bank Errors Continue to Cause Wrongful Foreclosures

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Profiles: Shoddy Bank Practices Continue Even After Mortgage Mods

by Paul Kiel,

Even After Mortgage Modification, Shoddy Bank Practices Hurt Homeowners

by Paul Kiel,

In Fine Print, Banks Require Struggling Homeowners to Waive Rights

by Paul Kiel,

Were You Forced to Waive Your Rights to Get Help?

by Paul Kiel,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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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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