Introduction:

Today is an auspicious day indeed. A day where I hope that hundreds, if not thousands, of voices will be heard in the coming months.



My vision is for Crisis at Home to become the platform for so many of you out there who are struggling with the truth of this housing crisis. While the media and the government want us all to believe that the picture is rosy and that things are on the upswing, 3 million of you will lose your homes this year alone. Last year, 2.8 million of you received foreclosure filings, and only a little more than 4 million homes were sold during 2009. If this trend continues, we will begin to see year over year numbers where sales and foreclosures essentially cancel each other out and net sales figures zero out or, even worse, end up upside down. If this occurs, it will signal the collapse of our entire economy.



Each day, we hear a little bit more about how states and local governments are in debt. We are starting to see it effect social services, and vital services that our tax dollars are supposed to support. Today, in Plainfield IL, over 100 teaching jobs were eliminated due to budgetary issues. This is just one example, in a time, where we have been told that teaching jobs and medical jobs are some of the safest and most recession proof in the land.



If we focus strictly on the teaching jobs, it is clear that there is a direct correlation to the housing crisis. After all, in most cases, local budgets for schools are allocated from property taxes collected. And as communities begin to collapse under the downward pressure of falling home values, job losses, and mortgages that are no longer collateralized with the value of a home...leaving people owing more on their homes than they are worth; we will continue to see this trend throughout the country.



The housing market needs to be priority number ONE on Capitol Hill. It is more important than health care reform, or nearly any other directive out there right now. Unless our housing market is restabilized it will continue its free fall and that will only serve to bankrupt the country and make any of the other proposed reforms fiscally impossible.



Over the coming days and weeks, I intend to get the word out to as many people as possible. It is important that we get a big, unbiased picture of the realities facing everyday people. So, I challenge all of you to weigh in on this important topic, tell your stories, give your insights and theories, and help me take your voices to our people in public office and let them know that we need a real change to save our homes, save our investments, and save our country.



To struggling homeowners: Use this forum to tell your story. Whether you are facing foreclosure, you are unable to refinance because you now owe more than your home is worth, or you are seeing disturbing trends in your neighborhoods...this is your opportunity to tell your stories. Particularly those of you who are in limbo or strange things are happening with your bank like you haven't paid for months, even years, and your bank has taken no action. Tel your stories here.



To Realtors: Every broker and brokerage in America wants their agents to put on a happy face and drink the shiny Kool Aid but you are on the front lines. Tell us your experiences in the field, what you are seeing in your areas, the terrible condition of homes that are toxic with mold because they have been sitting, unoccupied, for months or years. Send your photos, tell your story, let people know what YOU are doing to try and keep the market going and how this meltdown has effected you, your income, and your family. Tell your story here.



To prospective buyers: This is a forum for you to discuss your experiences. What is your perception of the market? Is the tax credit a meaningful incentive to you? What are the conditions of the homes you have been seeing or the circumstances you have been encountering?



I want to know and so does the country and it is important that the truth is told.



As a broker and Realtor for the last 10 years in the state of Illinois, I have seen good times and bad. As a free thinker, I have always strived to look at every facet and possibility...we can solve this problem.



And as a homeowner who is in trouble, as someone who has lost nearly everything, and as a single father of a beautiful daughter...I have my own story to tell and I will share it with you.



This is the starting point.


We are at a critical time in American history. Let us gather together and, with our shared experiences and our American ingenuity, let's make our voices heard.



I look forward to hearing all of your stories.



Richard Doty

Founder

Crisis At Home

http://www.crisisathome.com/

Submit all inquiries to crisisathome@gmail.com