Alma is a paralyzed senior citizen on fixed income who fought being foreclosed on by Chase Bank and Freddie Mac, the federal agency that took over her mortgage. Even after the bank had pledged to modify mortgages and stop foreclosure fraud, it nullified Counts’ previous modification and doubled her payments.
UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, community leaders, and Vanessa Flucker, who fought for Counts in court, were among those who addressed the crowd that gathered outside her home to support her.
It took over a year, but in May 2013, Ms. Counts won the right to buy back her home at the real market value, which is a fraction of the outrageous payments the bank had been demanding.