ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Demonstrators with Occupy Our Homes Atlanta and from across the southeast marched to the southeast regional office of Fannie Mae and demanded the nation's largest mortgage holder to help homeowners having difficulties making their monthly payments.
The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, and The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac, the second-largest mortgage buyer, received nearly $200 billion in federal bailout money during the depths of the global economic crisis.
Protestors want the lending giants to loosen their purse strings and reduce the principal payments on mortgages for homeowners whose houses are underwater, allow people to rent their homes after foreclosure or sell foreclosed properties back to the occupants or non-profit developers.
Robert Anderson, a protestor whose home is underwater, meaning he owes more on his mortgage than what this home is worth, said he has tried to modify with Freddie Mac but with no luck.
"I want the investors to step down and talk to us," Anderson. "I've been going through anxiety."
Security officers stood between protestors and the Fannie Mae offices as demonstrators demanded officials come outside and take a letter requesting a meeting.
"They have the power to turn the key to economic recovery," said Tim Franzen, one of the protest organizers, who added that it is time for Fannie and Freddie to start giving back. "We're here to encourage them to turn the key, to stop holding our neighborhoods hostage."
CBS Atlanta asked Fannie Mae if they would meet with the protestors. Andrew Wilson, a spokesman did not say if that would happen, but he did say "we absolutely want to work with homeowners who are having difficulty making payments, who want to work with us to prevent foreclosure."
Wilson encouraged homeowners with Fannie Mae mortgages who are having difficulties to contact Fannie Mae for help.
If you have a mortgage with Fannie Mae and need help, call Fannie Mae at (866) 442-8573 or go to knowyouroptions.com.
Check back with www.CBSAtlanta.com for updates.
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