U.S. Reps. John Lewis, David Scott, and Hank Johnson have joined forces with HUD, the U.S. Department of Treasury, the HOPE NOW Alliance, and NeighborWorks America for an upcoming event aimed at helping financially troubled homeowners in the Atlanta area.

The event, dubbed the “Help for Homeowners” project, is scheduled for July 30 and July 31. Nearly 20 of the area’s top lenders will be available at the event to meet one-on-one with area residents who are struggling to pay their mortgages. Also on hand will be HUD-approved counselors

who will help homeowners avoid mortgage modification scams and discuss whether they qualify for the administration’s Making Home Affordable program.

“High foreclosure rates have plagued us for years, tearing at the fabric of our neighborhoods and communities,” said Rep. Johnson, who has been fighting foreclosures since he was a county commissioner in 2001. “I’m encouraged that we’ll have mortgage lenders on hand to begin the process of helping homeowners, who no fault of their own, have fallen behind on their mortgages.”

Rep. Scott said metro Atlanta is one of the worst areas in the country for mortgage problems, as the number of failed mortgages has more than doubled in recent years. According to a statement by the Reps., the rate of foreclosures has been steadily rising, and the area now has a foreclosure rate of 3.18 percent, which is slightly higher than the national average of 3.15 percent.

“Like the rest of the country, our constituents are hurting. We have high unemployment leading to a high number of foreclosures,” Rep. Lewis said. “Something must be done to help our residents, and it is my hope that our event will allow people to keep their homes.”