Ocwen Financial Corporation, a specialty servicer of subprime mortgages headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, has adopted new technology that enables homeowners in financial distress to connect directly with nearby community services and government agencies for assistance.

Ocwen customers can now log in to a borrower-centric area of the company’s Web site, enter their Zip code and then choose from service categories, including job training, food assistance, and utility payment assistance in all 50 states. They receive a list of local nonprofits and government agencies that may be able to help them with personal and financial issues.

The same referrals, from the same database, will also be available to customers via Ocwen’s telephone representatives.

The service is a result of Ocwen’s new, multi-year agreement with MortgageKeeper Referral Services, Inc., www.mortgagekeeperdirect.com an organization that helps link homeowners in financial distress to reputable community services, with the aim of giving them access to outside resources and additional opportunities that can help cure default.

“Our goal is to help homeowners, including those experiencing financial troubles, stay in their homes,” said Ron Faris, Ocwen’s president. “One of the multiple ways we do that is to lead customers to resources that can help them manage or solve personal and financial problems that may be at the root of missed or late mortgage payments. Homeowners, communities and our company benefit when mortgages are affordable and sustainable.”

Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey, president of MortgageKeeper Referral Services, added, “Ocwen has always been progressive in their work with struggling homeowners. They understand that missing mortgage payments is a symptom of larger, more pressing problems. [Our product] increases the likelihood that homeowners will find high quality help to alleviate personal and financial problems — problems that keep them from making their mortgage payments.”