§ 2A:50-81 — Findings, declarations.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency provides trained foreclosure prevention and default mitigation counselors for homeowner-borrowers participating in the Foreclosure Mediation Program established by the New Jersey Judiciary. b. As provided by section 7 of the "New Jersey Foreclosure Mediation Act," P.L.2019, c.64 (C.2A:50-80), trained foreclosure prevention and default mitigation counselors are paid using a portion of funds paid by a foreclosure plaintiff in an action for foreclosure. c. During the public health emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency expanded its Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program to provide other supports to New Jersey residents including renter and pre-foreclosure counseling. d. Since the expansion began, nearly 5,000 households have been served. e. Sufficient funding exists for trained foreclosure prevention and default mitigation counselors to continue to provide pre-foreclosure counseling services although the public health emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 has concluded. f. In the event of a declaration of a state of emergency, persons who have been trained to provide foreclosure counseling services under the Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program are well positioned to help disaster victims prepare and submit applications for State and federal disaster assistance. L.2021, c.373, s.1; amended 2023, c.123, s.1.