20,000 attend South Carolina mortgage help program

Thousands of people seeking help with their mortgages showed up in Columbia with hopes of saving their homes.

Officials with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America said nearly 20,000 people showed up for the “Save the Dream Tour,“ which ended Monday.

The nationwide program offers to help at-risk homeowners restructure their mortgages and permanently reduce their interest rates.

NACA spokesman Darren Duarte said around 15,000 people received counseling and 2,000 left the event with reduced mortgage payments.

Others were asked to call a counseling hotline or set up a phone interview with the group.

NACA planned to visit other areas hard-hit by foreclosure, including Florida and California.