Cordray receives Neighbor Works award for dealing with foreclosures in Ohio

Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray (D-Grove City) was selected by Neighbor Works America as the national recipient of the State Government Service Award for achievement in establishing community-strengthening programs and sustaining homeownership.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland nominated Cordray for the award.

Neighborhood Housing Services executive director Lou Tisler spoke about Cordray's efforts to deal with the foreclosure problem in Ohio.

"Treasurer Cordray's urgent response to the foreclosure crisis in Ohio has served as a pillar of support for organizations like ours, which aim to reverse the trend and rebuild the financial security of our communities," he said.

The award recognizes Cordray's efforts throughout Ohio to create Save Our Homes taskforces, which are local coalitions of public, non-profit, and private sector leaders that work to stem the tide of home foreclosures in their communities. 

Neighbor Works also cited Cordray's development of "Rebuild Your Credit" workshops, which offer guidance to Ohioans on how to improve their credit scores.  The award recognizes Cordray's role in working with other state and local leaders to create a new foreclosure mediation program in Ohio's court system, which is the first of its kind in the nation.

Recipients of the Neighbor Works awards are recognized for making significant contributions to improve the lives of people in their communities through their support for affordable housing and community development.

The other 2008 honorees are include U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who received the Federal Government Service Award;  Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker (D-N.C.), who received the Local Government Service Award; and U.S. Rep. James Walsh (R-N.Y.), who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Neighbor Works America chief executive officer Kenneth D. Wade said Neighbor Works was proud to honor the recipients for transforming the communities they represent with their leadership.

"These individuals have shown unwavering commitment to, and support for, public policies that advance community revitalization goals," he said.

Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis (D) was the 2007 recipient of the Local Government Service Award.

Neighbor Works America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts. It includes a national network of more than 230 community-based organizations in 50 states creating healthy communities through the work of thousands of residents, business people, government officials and other partners, according to its Web site.

Cordray is running as the Democratic nominee for Ohio Attorney General in November to finish the term of former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann (D), who resigned in May amidst scandal.