Franklin County is laying money on the table to bail out those facing foreclosure.

A new grant program approved yesterday is aimed at middle-class homeowners and will provide up to $3,000 apiece to help them catch up on payments and settle late fees.

"This is a program that will help people get their financial life in order so this is not a repeat thing," Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy said before voting in favor.

"The foreclosure crisis has hurt this community. ... It hurts neighborhoods. It hurts property values. More importantly, it hurts people."

Foreclosure filings in Franklin County increased nearly 75 percent from 2001 to 2006 and are continuing to skyrocket, a briefing packet for commissioners says. In 2006, lenders filed to foreclose on one out of every 124 homeowners. Many of those facing foreclosure said they had lost their jobs; others cited medical bills, divorce and unexpected home repairs.

Douglas E. Lumpkin, director of the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, pieced together $300,000 in federal funds he usually saves for emergency services.

The money will go to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which serves about 350 clients a year in homebuyer-education, foreclosure-prevention and default-services programs.

"The idea is to stabilize them so they can remain in their homes and not end up on our (welfare) rolls as a result of foreclosure," Lumpkin said.

The county plans to advertise the grants at its opportunity service centers and through MORPC. Under the grant's eligibility guidelines, a family of four could earn up to $63,600 a year.

"Some people need as little as $500," said Kathy Werkmeister, the planning commission's director of housing and community services.

The help, however, comes with strings that commissioners view as lifelines: Homeowners get counseling to devise a realistic family budget that sets aside money for repairs and other emergencies.

"But we can work with a lender," Werkmeister said. "One advantage of using a counselor is that banks right now are listening. They realize they don't want to buy these houses back. They want to help people stay in their homes."

The grants are meant for those who "have gotten off track temporarily," Werkmeister said. Those unable to afford a home should consider selling, she said.

The planning commission also has state foreclosure-prevention grants, which were approved in January. But those are aimed at the working poor; families of four can have an income of up to $32,200.

Commissioners toured county neighborhoods hardest hit by foreclosures last month and met with residents, who said the yellow-tagged vacant properties are sinking their home values and luring drug dealers and squatters.

Commissioner Marilyn Brown said she hopes the grants will encourage those facing foreclosure to quickly reach out for help. "There is a paralysis of fear when you keep getting bills and bills. It's scary.

"Make the call."

Those buying a home or facing foreclosure may phone 614-233-4177 for free help.

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