All that Yusef Salaam wanted for Christmas was to be able to stay in his Roselawn home.
Thanks to WCPO-TV, the Home Ownership Center and Legal Aid, that wish came true.
After months of wrangling, Salaam has a new mortgage with a monthly payment that is $133 less than before.
The story began in June when Salaam called the Home Ownership Center's (HOC) Foreclosure Prevention Phone-A-Thon asking for help.
Center officials worked out a new loan program with America's Servicing Company, but somehow the foreclosure continued.
Legal Aid filed suit to force ASC to live up to its agreement, but there was still no deal.
On December 18, 9News aired a story about Salaam's plight. HOC President Rick Williams said that within two days the new deal was done with ACS.
"It's a very happy ending," Williams said. "The story absolutely pushed the lender over the edge to settle this and to the right thing."
Williams added the message to other homeowners facing foreclosure is to ask for help.
"Call the 1-877-7BUZZUS (7289987) number and let us know the situation you're in," Williams continued. "We have a lot of resources that can be applied."
WCPO-TV and the Home Ownership Center are partners for another Foreclosure Prevention Phone-A-Thon on February 24.
