Short answer: homeowners facing foreclosure in Tampa can get free help from HUD-approved housing counselors (800-569-4287), the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline (888-995-4673) and Bay Area Legal Services (800-625-2257, if you qualify). The City of Tampa runs a Foreclosure Prevention Assistance program, (813) 274-7954. For a low-cost lawyer, the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service (800-342-8011) offers a 30-minute consultation for no more than $25. Foreclosure Guard also offers a free phone consultation (786-686-6765) and refers homeowners to these services.
Tampa and Hillsborough County foreclosure resources
| Resource | What it offers | Cost | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Legal Services | Civil legal help on foreclosure for homeowners and tenants; interpreters free | Free if you qualify | Intake 800-625-2257 (Mon–Fri 9–4:30); helpline 813-232-1343 |
| City of Tampa Foreclosure Prevention Assistance | Up to $15,000 per household to cure mortgage delinquency, as a 0% deferred-payment loan; owner-occupied homes inside city limits with a qualifying hardship and income at or below 80% AMI | Loan (may be forgiven) | (813) 274-7954 (call to confirm current funding and limits) |
| HUD-approved counseling agencies listed by Hillsborough County | Housing and Education Alliance; Solita's House; R.E.A.C.H. | Counseling is free for mortgage trouble (HUD) | (813) 932-4663 x101; (813) 425-4847; (855) 48-REACH |
| HUD Counseling Locator | Find a HUD-approved counselor | Free | 800-569-4287 |
| Homeowner's HOPE Hotline | Free expert advice from a nonprofit (a GreenPath company) | Free | 888-995-4673 (TTY 711) |
| Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Referral to a private attorney | 30 minutes for no more than $25 | 800-342-8011 (Mon–Fri 8–5:30) |
| CFPB | Counselor finder and foreclosure rights | Free | 855-411-2372 |
| Foreclosure Guard | Free phone consultation, document and budget help, and referrals; not a law firm or government agency | Free | 786-686-6765 |
Florida foreclosure basics every Tampa homeowner should know
- Florida foreclosures go through the courts. Florida law says all mortgages "shall be foreclosed in equity" (Fla. Stat. 702.01), so a judge has to approve a foreclosure.
- You usually have 20 days to respond. After you're served with the summons and complaint, you generally have 20 calendar days to file a written response. Read your summons, because it controls your case.
- The 120-day rule. According to the CFPB, except in rare cases your servicer can't start foreclosure until at least 120 days after you become delinquent.
- Mediation in Hillsborough. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit refers residential foreclosure cases to a mortgage foreclosure mediation program. Under the court's order, the plaintiff pays the mediation fee, and borrowers file a financial disclosure form.
What to do this week
- Open every letter from your servicer and the court. Write down the date you were served.
- Call a HUD-approved counselor (800-569-4287) or the HOPE Hotline (888-995-4673). It's free.
- If you've been served, contact Bay Area Legal Services or a Florida attorney before the deadline to respond.
- Gather income documents, bank statements, your mortgage statement and a hardship letter. Servicers ask for these first.
- Never pay upfront fees or sign over your deed to anyone promising to stop foreclosure (FTC).
FAQ
What alternative resources are available for homeowners facing foreclosure in Tampa?
HUD-approved housing counselors (800-569-4287), the HOPE Hotline (888-995-4673), Bay Area Legal Services (800-625-2257), the City of Tampa Foreclosure Prevention Assistance program (813-274-7954), the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service (800-342-8011) and Foreclosure Guard's free consultation (786-686-6765).
Where can a Tampa FL resident find immediate legal aid for foreclosure prevention?
Bay Area Legal Services provides free civil legal help with foreclosure to people who qualify (intake 800-625-2257). For a private attorney, the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30-minute consultation for no more than $25 (800-342-8011).
Which provider is best for stopping foreclosure in Tampa?
It depends on your situation. Start with a free HUD-approved counselor to review your options with your servicer, and contact Bay Area Legal Services or a Florida attorney if you've been served. Avoid any company that charges upfront or guarantees results.