Steve Boudreaux, Home Defender Gone but not Forgotten!

On Monday April 7th, long time home defender and OOHA stalwart Steve Boudreaux passed away after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke a week prior. Steve got involved with Occupy Our Homes Atlanta as his home was headed toward the auction block on the Cobb County courthouse steps. After Steve reached out to OOHA he learned how to launch a housing justice campaign.  Steve eventually won his campaign and forced Wells Fargo to rescend his foreclosure and make a deal he could afford.

After Steve won he made one thing clear over and over agian, he wanted to pay it forward. Steve went on to being one of the most active members of OOHA, showing up to meetings, comforting folks coming in the room with their own housing struggles, being a walking testiment that when we fight we win, and coming to just about every action we plan. Steve stuck around through the good times and the bad. We all came to love him, and he will be deeply missed.

As we mourn the loss of a dedicated activist with a huge heart, we have been invited to attend Steve's memorial service. The service will take place this Saturday (4/12) at 2PM at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation located at 2799 Holly Springs Road Marietta, GA 30062.

Memorial for Steve Boudreaux

Saturday 4/12 at 2PM, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2799 Holly Springs Road Marietta, GA 30062

During this difficult time we are all reminded of Steve's pay it forward mentality. Though Steve didn't mention it often, he was a veteran and the issue of veteran evictions was very close to his heart. Please take the time to sign and share OOHA's latest veteran home defenders online petition.

OOHA will be holding a special memorial service 4/19 at 7pm, details TBA.

Steve Boudreaux Fights The Bank And Wins!

Back in June, Steve Boudreaux reached out to Occupy Our Homes ATL in total desperation, less than 24 hours before his home was set to be auctioned off on the Cobb county courthouse steps. Wells Fargo told him that they were working on a loan modification up to the very

last minute before the sale.

Now, four months later, we are overjoyed to announce that after organizing countless marches and sit-ins at bank branches, several bank call-in campaigns, an online petition, and an action at Fannie Mae (who actually owned the loan), Wells Fargo has rescinded Steve's foreclosure and granted a modification that will keep him in the home he loves for years to come!

In a matter of months Steve went from attending eviction court proceedings- fighting just to stay another week in his home- to getting a modification that he can live with, which leaves his community with one less boarded up crime magnet.

In a Statement from Steve, which he addressed to supporters, he stated, "I could not have done it without all of you! Everyone who signed my petition, called the bank on my behalf, everyone who organized and participated in direct actions, I owe you debt of gratitude, this is truly our victory! I don’t want this fight to stop with my home, I’m committed to pay it forward and help the next person."

While American Friends Service Committee is happy to celebrate Steve's victory, we also realize that millions continue to suffer at the hands of the financial institutions whose irresponsible behavior not only caused our economy to collapse, but continues to hold our communities hostage. We know that the key to real recovery is finding creative ways to keep struggling people in their homes, and it seems that that key is in the hand of the big banks.

You Can Help Save My Home From Wells Fargo!

Since this June you've all helped keep me in my home and given a voice to the thousands struggling in the Atlanta metro area. As a result of the pressure all of you helped put onto Wells Fargo, they called me last month and said they were given authorization to work on a loan modification.  It was historic news considering the fact that they had already foreclosed on my home! When you’re as low as I was at the time, any good news is elating; I honestly thought I had won!

I didn't, and Wells Fargo has been dragging their feet in what feels like a waiting game. I was supposed to get word on my modification yesterday. It looks like my time is running out; while Wells Fargo takes their time on my modification I could be evicted any day now.

Can you help give Wells Fargo another push to make a deal that keeps me in my home? I’m not asking for a handout, I have money to pay, and the last thing my neighborhood needs is another empty house. One phone call can make a huge difference.

Can you help me win a victory for the 99%?

Here's how you can help today:

 Call Mike Heid: Please call Mike Heid, President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, at (515) 213-6117 and demand that he make a deal to keep me in my home. Here's what you can say:"Make the modificationt  to keep Edmond Steve Boudreaux (Loan #00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities."

In Gratitude,

Steve Boudreaux

Help Steve Save His Home

We've gained enough support to push my dispossessory hearing to August 31st. While I'm encouraged that I will not be evicted this week, I know we are still far from a solution that will keep me in my home permanently. Wells Fargo is still refusing to rescind the foreclosure, so there is no time to lose. This is an important week in my campaign. Can you help me win a victory for the 99%? 

Here's how you can help today:

1. Call Mike Heid: Please call Mike Heid, President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, at (515) 213-6117 and demand that he make a deal to keep me in my home. Here's what you can say:"Rescind the foreclosure and work out a deal to keep Edmond Steve Boudreaux (Loan #00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities." Report your results here.

2. Share the petition: I delivered the petition this past Friday, but I'm still hoping to pass 2,000 signatures this week, can you help?

http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/wells-fargo-keep-steve-boudreaux-in-his-home

3. Plan a solidarity action: For the past month we've been organizing small flash demonstrations outside of Wells Fargo Branchs. We hope that you will add to our numbers by either joining us or by visiting branches in your hometowns. You can go by yourself or get a small contingent together to deliver this letter to tellers and branch managers. If you can take it a step further, organize a rally at a local branch. 

I look forward to reporting back on our progress!

Thank you so very, very much,
Steve Boudreaux

The People vs Wells Fargo

Despite, or perhaps because of, Wells Fargo’s cavalier and callous actions towards someone taking extraordinary measures to comply with the bank’s demands and stay in his home, Steve Boudreaux is refusing to give up his home to the bank. He has been occupying his home despite the recent commencement of eviction proceedings and taking a stand, the first of its kind in Cobb County, GA, for what is right and just. He is fighting for rescinding the foreclosure sale and a halt to the eviction proceedings.

 

While Georgia recorded the highest number of foreclosures in the country recently, Steve claims that many homeowners in his area are ashamed to admit they are going through the same thing. “I look forward to breaking the cycle of silence that keeps so many Cobb residents from standing up to the banks and defending their homes,” he said when asked about his decision to take his fight public.

Steve, who is now employed and getting back on his feet, needs your help to fight this unjust foreclosure eviction. Just ten days ago after a day of phone calls and emails to Wells Fargo big wigs Adam Lawmen, a Wells Fargo representative, committed to work on rescinding Steve’s foreclosure and moving forward with a modification.

As of yesterday Wells Fargo refused to rescind Steve's foreclosure, which means they are willing to stand by and watch him get kicked out of his home.

So we decided to head over to a Wells Fargo branch and give them a taste of some shame therapy. While several of us met with the branch manager and demanded he contact his higher ups to resolve the matter, over a dozen people participated in a direct action training right outside the bank.

The bank manager agreed to follow up with us and Steve on the matter. Ultimately we know it’s not his call, nor can any of the workers have a real say in whether a foreclosure eviction goes down. Our message was to the higher ups at Wells Fargo.

 

We will no longer allow foreclosures and evictions to go down in our communities without a fight. We simply can’t afford another boarded up house while so many need a roof over their heads. If financial institutions and our government can’t figure out a way to truly address the housing crisis then it’s up to regular everyday people to enact our own measures, it’s up to us to fight for our neighborhood.

Please sign the petition to save Steve’s home HERE

Tim Franzen

American Friends Service Committee

Brunch For Housing A Success!

AFSC Atlanta has been proud to be a part of the Occupy Our Homes National movement, and especially excited about the outcomes of Occupy Our Homes ATL's (OOHA)work locally. We've seen homeowners, renters, even Churches stand up to slumlords and big banks and win. These victories are important, and we know they have a real impact on others decision to stand up and fight.

With Georgia's housing crisis reaching historic proportions, we all realize how vital this work is, so it was a no brainier when OOHA asked for some help with their Sunday brunch. AFSC provided food and a cook for the waffle brunch, which took place today and had a few simple goals; to provide space to create dialogue about the housing crisis, give updates on current resident led campaigns, and raise a little funds to sustain OOHA's work.

Everyone who showed up was also asked to sign our online petition to save Steve Boudreaux's home( sign by clicking here), and a delicious time was had by all.

We're all excited about several of OOHA's upcoming resident led campaigns that seek to take home defense work in Atlanta to the next level.




Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

The Fight To Save Steve's Home!

Today we hosted two phone banks in the Atlanta area with the hope of generating lots of phone calls and emails to Wells Fargo in our effort to help Steve Boudreaux save his home! It went super well, and it was a lot of fun! We made lots of calls, emails, and we shared a delicious meal!

It’s not too late to call! Here’s all the info:

Last year, Marietta, Ga resident Steve Boudreaux lost his job. Like the millions of other Americans battling unemployment, Steve struggled to make his mortgage payments, and eventually fell behind. In an effort to save his home from foreclosure, Steve applied for an emergency loan modification from his lender, Wells Fargo. Everything was set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting Steve’s tax transcripts to the bank. Rather than wait for the transcripts—the IRS even sent confirmation that they were on their way-- Wells Fargo moved forward with a foreclosure sale. To add insult to injury, the transcripts were delivered to the bank the next day.

Steve is now employed and getting back on his feet, and is willing to do whatever it takes to stay in his home. He contacted Wells Fargo numerous times requesting they rescind the foreclosure, and let him stay in his home. His calls have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Please contact Wells Fargo on Steve’s behalf with this simple message.

"Rescind the foreclosure, and work out a deal to keep Steve Boudreaux (Loan # 00006391834) in his home. Accept his payments instead of leaving another empty house in our communities."

Call AND email:

John G. Stumpf

Chairman & CEO

(415) 396-7018

John.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com

Michael J. Heid

President, Home Mortgage

(515)213-6117

Michael.j.heid@wellsfargo.com

Pat Callahan

Chief Administrative Officer

Patricia.r.callahan@wellsfargo.com

Avid Modjtabai

Senior EVP, Consumer Lending

Avid.modjtabai@wellsfargo.com

The Fight To Save Steve's Home Continues

The past week three flash demonstrations were carried out in an effort to keep the pressure on Wells Fargo to make a deal to keep Cobb County resident Steve Boudreaux in his home. So far, despite Steve’s willingness to negotiate a very reasonable deal with Wells Fargo, the bank has been unwilling to budge. It seems they would rather see another crime attracting, neighborhood devaluing, boarded up home is his community.

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Boudreaux applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford.

Boudreaux said everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank.

Wells Fargo pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, according to Boudreaux. The transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

It’s time the banks stop holding our communities and make an effort to work with home owners to keep them in their home in these historic difficult times.

Next Tuesday Occupy Our Homes ATL and the Cobb Coalition For Change will be hosting a national call in day to Wells Fargo in an effort to pressure the bank to make a deal.

 Event Details

Tim Franzen

American Friend Service Committee

The People VS Wells Fargo

Homeowner Steve Boudreaux, who we've been working with alongside Occupy Our Homes ATL and the Cobb Coalition for Change, hosted a press conference outside his home at 3 pm to declare that he is fighting to keep his home off Rubes Landing in Marietta.

We plan to support Steve and stand along side of him as he refuses to leave the property until Wells Fargo makes a deal that keeps him in his home.

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Boudreaux applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford.

Boudreaux said everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank.

Wells Fargo pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, according to Boudreaux. The transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

A demonstration was held Friday outside of the Wells Fargo branch where Boudreaux took out his loan.

On Monday, tents were be pitched and supporters began a 24/7 vigil until Wells Fargo makes a deal to keep Boudreaux in is home.

"Georgia is now the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis. We have to do something about this, and we have to do it now," says Occupy Homes organizer Allie McCullen.

Cobb County Home Owner Stands Up To Wells Fargo

After battling unemployment and struggling to make payments on his mortgage, Cobb County resident Steve Boudreaux did what any diligent homeowner would do--he applied for an emergency home loan modification to stay in his home at a rate he could afford. Everything was all set to move forward until the IRS delayed in getting tax transcripts to his bank, Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo, rather than wait for the transcripts to come in, pushed forward with a foreclosure sale, even though the modification application was incomplete due to no fault of Steve's own. To add insult to injury, the transcripts were delivered the day after the foreclosure sale.

Today Steve was joined by Occupy Our Homes ATL and Cobb United for Change at the Wells Fargo branch that Steve originally applied and received his home lone with one simple message,  "You have all the information you need! Make a deal to keep Steve in his home!"

Cobb United for Change and Occupy Our Homes are ready to stand up with Steve to keep him in his home. Will you?

You can help Steve and call Luis Fortin of the Wells Fargo "Home Preservation" Team and demand he work to keep Steve in his home.

To reach Mr. Fortin call 877-458-8418. Once connected dial 0 until you are asked for an extension. Luis is ext. 31560.

Make sure to tell him that "Wells Fargo needs to work with Steve Boudreaux at 1525 Rubes Landing in Marietta. Set aside the foreclosure and make a deal to keep Steve in his home!"




After putting Wells Fargo on blast folks headed over to the Marietta Daily Journal to let them know that they needed to start covering the worst housing crisis in Georgia History.