Rockingham homeowners eligible for free mortgage outreach service from local legal centre – By The West Australian

Two legal practices have joined forces to help people in the south metropolitan region avoid falling off an “impending mortgage cliff”.

Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service and Consumer Credit Legal Service have partnered to provide the mortgage stress outreach clinic in Rockingham.

CCLS chief executive Bev Jowle said the face-to-face service would give support to people struggling with their mortgage repayments.

“Part of our role would be to negotiate options with the credit provider to help the consumer keep their house and be able to repay at an amount they can afford,” she said.

Ms Jowle said CCLS provided free and independent over-the-phone advice on matters relating to consumer and credit law but recognised some people preferred in-person contact.

“Many people feel a lot of shame and embarrassment talking about money in general and when they are potentially going to lose their house, they may also feel very anxious,” she said.

“This service means they will have someone to talk to directly with expertise in this area of law, who can reassure them and offer options.”

Ms Jowle said there were a large number of mortgage holders in Baldivis, Warnbro and Kwinana, and many were “about to come off fixed-rate mortgages” with repayments expected to increase.

“The high rate of inflation and the high cost of living will push many people into potential homelessness; this service is aiming to provide a preventive approach,” she said.

“We chose the Rockingham area partly due to the partnership we can establish with our colleagues at SCALES community legal centre, but largely because we believe that the impending mortgage cliff will impact greatly on mortgage holders in this particular community.”

For help or more information, call 9221 7066.

The West Australian