Gov. expands foreclosure services

The grant was awarded to the California Housing Finance Agency and to federally approved counseling groups partnering with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, as part of a new federal program to stem foreclosures nationwide, according to the governor's office. "More than a half million Californians have subprime loans that will jump to higher rates over the next two years and many are in danger of foreclosure," Schwarzenegger said in a statement announcing the grant. "But there are options," Schwarzenegger said. "Your lender may be willing to work with you and counseling is available." "The key is: don't be afraid to ask for help," he said. According to the governor's office, counseling will be available to those homeowners who have defaulted on mortgages or are in danger of defaulting. In the Bay Area, counseling agencies are located in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Rosa, East Palo Alto, Pittsburg, Sunnyvale and Richmond, according to the governor's office.