It's a partnership that could give a lot of homeowners some peace of mind: Chase Bank and several county sheriffs are working together to cut down on foreclosures. As WFMZ's Stephanie Esposito reports, those sheriffs are now delivering good news, instead of delinquency notices. It's sad. I've been in the homicide business all my life and there's no difference in the sadness of people. 

[ WEBLINK: (Makinghomeaffordable.org) ]  

>> REPORTER: Montgomery County Sheriff John Durante says it's no fun delivering delinquency notices. 

>> We're talking about elderly, people starting out for the first time, people with children and it's not their fault they're losing their jobs. 

>> REPORTER: Now, with those delinquency notices the Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks County Sheriffs are hoping to deliver some good news too. It's called the making home affordable plan. They allow us to do modifications, payment plans. 

>> REPORTER: Chase Bank recently opened 24 home ownership centers across the country in hard hit regions to help customers get back on their feet, the Delaware Valley is on that list. 

>> They never could reach out before they always had to call an 800 number now it's a face to face meeting. 

>> REPORTER: The Sheriffs from Montgomery and Bucks Co says it's been years since they've had this many houses up for auction. 

>> We have right now 450 sales up right now for sheriffs auctions. Maybe 5, 10 years ago would you have that many? No If you had 100 you had a lot..listings. 

>> REPORTER: Only a fraction of the houses listed go to sale. Still both Chase and the Sheriffs say their partnership is win-win.
 
>> Someone loses their jobs. They're embarrassed they don't want to call the bank. Now Chase, do they want to take over the house or do they want to get their money. They want their money. 

>> REPORTER: And Chase officials say they will try to work with most homeowners. 

>> We can either reduce their interest rate we can increase their term, we can defer interest on the back end to help the customers. 

>> REPORTER: In Norristown, Montgomery County.
 
>> Lehigh County has its version of a program to help people facing foreclosures. Northampton County is currently working on one.

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