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Low- and moderate-income families facing foreclosure have a new resource to help them stay in their homes.

Couleecap, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps promote self-sufficiency for low- and moderate-income families through a variety of programs, has received $34,800 to help prevent foreclosure for families living in La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe and Crawford Counties. All of the funds will be provided directly to the lenders of the qualifying households.

Each household that receives financial assistance must have had a temporary loss of income or temporary increase of expenses that caused them to miss a payment. The household must also be able to afford the monthly house payment if they are brought current on their mortgage.

The funds are being provided by the state of Wisconsin and the Great Rivers United Way.

Couleecap, Inc., also offers free technical assistance for households at any income level that have missed a house payment. It has four Foreclosure Prevention Counselors on staff, and they have successfully achieved loan modifications and repayment plans that have stopped local foreclosures. Each applicant is also sent detailed information explaining Wisconsin’s foreclosure process.

Couleecap’s Foreclosure Prevention Counselors also work with area Realtors who specialize in short sales when an agreement can not be reached with a lender and selling the house is the only option.

Households receiving financial assistance must have a gross household income of less than 80 percent of the median income for their county. In Vernon, Crawford or Monroe Counties, a single person can earn up to $31,450; and a family of three can earn up to $40,450. In La Crosse County, a single person can earn up to $35,500; and a family of three can earn up to $45,650. Households of any income are eligible for technical assistance.

For more information or to apply for assistance, call Ashley Lacenski at (608) 782-5520. Applicants can also find basic program information and a Foreclosure Prevention application on Couleecap’s Web site at www.couleecap.org.