The Weld Foreclosure Coalition, a group of nonprofits and businesspeople formed two years ago to respond to growing foreclosures in the area, will host a Housing Assistance Fair and Forum next month in Greeley.

The event will be from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 16 at the First Baptist Church, 1091 10th Ave., Greeley.

It will feature professionals who will meet on a one-on-one basis with homeowners and answer questions on loan modifications, loss mitigation, short sales, refinancing, foreclosure options and services available to support families facing foreclosures.

Several participants have registered for the fair, which will be free and will feature several classes. Those will include how to talk with mortgage companies and how to survive a layoff. Free DVDs and information kits will be available to the first 75 families on talking with children when facing tough economic times.

Housing and financial counselors from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline and the Colorado Division of Housing will be available to meet confidentially with families facing difficulties. Several human service agencies and other programs designed to help people will also be available.

Sara Gilbert, executive director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service, said 80-85 percent of people in Greeley and Weld who have sought assistance early and were connected with a housing counselor “have been able to prevent a full foreclosure.”