December 10, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
Outdated technology is holding back housing organizations as they try to help borrowers caught in the foreclosure crisis apply for loan modifications, say officials at NeighborWorks America, a national network of more than 240 community-development groups.
Some organizations lack simple technology, such as scanning equipment or the ability to send electronic faxes, that would help them deal more efficiently with the volume of paperwork involved in each application, says Jayna Bower, director of the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education.
“Literally, some clients come in with a grocery bag full of unopened envelopes,” she says. Being able to scan the information, she says, look at it electronically, and forward it to someone else would make a big difference in improving the counseling process.
NeighborWorks is offering training and working with a company that provides client-management software to help bridge the technology gap.
