The foreclosure crisis - and what homeowners can do if they face losing their home - is the subject of forum a panel of local real estate experts will be leading on Tuesday at Washtenaw Community College.

The event occurs as homeowners, consumer advocates and the real estate industry adjust to a new state law designed to push loan modifications over defaults.

Washtenaw County posted a record number of foreclosures in 2008, according to county data. The locations of those foreclosures are moving west this year, from Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township to Ann Arbor and outlying communities.

And the rate of foreclosure continues to be high, even as more groups encourage consumers and lenders toward loan modification.

The event is organized by Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, whose district includes Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Questions about the federal response to foreclosures and even for practical advice for individual homeowners continue to come into Dingell's local offices, said Adam Benson, his spokesperson.

The event features a panel including:

• Joe Peoples of the Charles Reinhart Co., representing the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors.

• Kathy Grant of the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension office.

• Lorray Brown, attorney for the Michigan Poverty Law Program, who is leading the Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Project.

• Karlos Griffin of Chase Bank.

Washtenaw County Treasurer Catherine McClary will moderate the event. McClary has participated in several foreclosure-prevention events and has organized information on the county website to help homeowners with questions.

It will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 

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