A state agency has received another round of federal money to continue a Hawai'i foreclosure prevention program.

The Hawai'i Housing Finance and Development Corp. said it received a $204,026 grant from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program.

HHFDC is working with five local nonprofit agencies to provide free counseling services for homeowners in danger of losing their homes.

Since February 2009, about 800 households in Hawai'i have received foreclosure mitigation help through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program, which initially was funded by Congress in fiscal year 2008 and administered by NeighborWorks America. Additional program funding at the national level was provided through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and an appropriation in 2009.

It is the third time in two years that HHFDC has obtained grant money for the program.

Homeowners in need of assistance can contact the following agencies:

• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Hawai'i: cccsofhawaii.org, 532-3225 on O'ahu or 800-801-5999 Toll free from Neighbor Islands

• Hawai'i HomeOwnership Center: hihomeowner ship.org, 523-9500 on O'ahu or 877-523-9503 Toll free from Neighbor Islands

• Hawaiian Community Assets: www.hawaiiancommunity.net, 587-7886

• Hale Mahaolu: 872-4100 (Maui only)

• Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i: legalaid.org, 536-4302 on O'ahu or 800-499-4302 Toll free from Neighbor Islands

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development also has a Website with resources for homeowners facing foreclosure at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/.

Tips for avoiding foreclosure rescue scams are online at www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/ADVISORY/2008-1.html.