Housing Relief Backlash

Here is a good question from MSNBC's answer desk:

How will the homeowner bailout affect responsible borrowers such as myself? I purchased my condo two years ago, borrowed what I knew I could afford considering my budget, and am not at risk of foreclosure. It seems unfortunate that we are bailing out those who did not borrow responsibly or did not truly understand their mortgages before signing them. So on top of me not seeing any advantage from the housing bailout, my taxes will most likely increase as well.
— Lars M., Evanston, Ill.

You’re not alone in wondering why your taxes should be used to help your neighbor make their mortgage payment.

The Obama administration’s plan to use $75 billion of tax dollars help some homeowners pay their mortgages touched off a huge backlash. Apart from a flood of mail to the Answer Desk inbox, the outrage was galvanized by CNBC's Rick Santelli, who covers the commodity markets in Chicago. On Thursday, Santelli gave voice to that outrage in an on-air rant that — among other things — called for a “tea party” this summer to protest the administration’s plan to “subsidize losers’ mortgages.”

It was apparently a rant heard ’round the world — or at least ’round YouTube. On Friday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs felt the need to respond directly to Santelli’s attack on the Obama's foreclosure relief plan by noting that many homeowners facing foreclosure won’t be eligible for help, including investors and people who “long ago knew they were in a house they couldn’t afford. Instead, he said, the plan is targeted toward helping people “who aren’t yet in trouble keep from getting in trouble.”

Gibbs also pointed out that millions more Americans will benefit from the government’s comprehensive effort to drive down mortgages rates, allowing homeowners who aren’t in trouble refinance to a better rate and save money.

Preventing foreclosures also pays benefits to anyone who owns a home by slowing — and possibly stopping — the ongoing slide in home prices. Each new foreclosed property — sold at fire sale prices — drives down the value of every other home on the street.

“If you live in a home that’s near one that’s been foreclosed, your home value likely has dropped by about 9 percent, which for the average home is about $20,000,” Gibbs told reporters Friday.

According to the U.S. census, there were about 75 million owner-occupied homes at the end of 2008. By our math, that means that the $75 billion being spent to prevent foreclosures works out to about $1,000 per owner-occupied home. Which means you’re spending $1,000 in taxes to head of the loss of $20,000 on the value of your house. These days, that doesn’t seem like such a bad investment.

Gibbs invited Santelli to the White House to go over the plan and explain why it helps all homeowners.

“I’d be happy to buy him a cup of coffee,” said Gibbs. “Decaf.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29306760/