ALBANY – Governor Paterson has announced grants as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to address the subprime mortgage crisis. The grants will be provided to non-profit agencies for homeowner assistance and foreclosure prevention counseling, advocacy and legal services.

The State Division of Housing and Community Renewal has granted $545,000 to Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. The agency will partner with the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide Westchester County homeowners with a full spectrum of housing counseling and legal services to avoid foreclosure and homelessness.

The state Banking Department has awarded $100,000 to Rural Ulster Preservation Company, which will partner with the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide individual housing counseling, loss mitigation and legal representation. The agency will also conduct outreach and information sessions in an area to be covered that includes Ulster, Orange and Sullivan counties.

The state has also granted $100,000 to Rockland Housing Action Coalition to provide expanded housing counseling services to residents of Rockland and Orange counties over a two-year period and will also be willing to serve Westchester and Ulster counties.

The Banking Department has also granted $100,000 to Housing Action Council, which will partner with Community Capital Resources and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide individual housing counseling, loss mitigation and legal representation to residents of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties over one year.