Mama Hill was recognized for her community work in 2007 by L’Oreal Paris. But soon after she was awarded the “Women of Worth” honor, Mama Hill lost her L.A. City funding. Forced to come up with that share of her program’s budget, Hill refinanced her home. Mama Hill's adjustable rate mortgage rose quickly from 7.5% to 10% and she fell behind on her payments. In 2008, Mama Hill’s house was in the process of being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
ACORN, a community organization that supports low to moderate income Americans, stepped in to help Hill save her home, which is also home to Mama Hill’s Help Inc. “The House that Mama Hill Built” is the story of Millicent Hill’s fight to save her house and her thriving after-school program.
RELATED RESOURCES:
ACORN
Mama Hill's Help
Loreal Paris - Women of Worth
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Foreclosure Alley - By Correspondent Lisa Ling - For the past few years, the Inland Empire has been one of the fastest growing counties in the state. But now the Inland Empire is pretty much the poster child for the foreclosure crisis.
CREDITS:
Produced by: Juan Devis, Matthew Williams, Shereen Meraji; Edited by: Matthew Williams; Music by DJ Mike Loki
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Great story on how this giant story is affecting one individual. Thought it was particularly effective since it allowed her and the ACORN people to tell their story directly and without narration.
Congrats and best of luck to Mama Hill.
Wow, disturbing--I know a lot of people who are in Mama Hill's situation, about to lose their homes because they were duped into sinister mortgages.
Thank you so much for bringing this story to the fore--really well done. More like this, please.
Excellent story, very accurately captures the personal side of the foreclosure crisis and the community's efforts to limit its impact on low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. ACORN will be using this video at our 13th Anniversary Reception on Tuesday, September 30. Thanks for your amazing work!
This tragic story highlights the importance of a "Main Street" bailout. Mama Hill's Help is as important to the Watts community as the Watts Towers. Only difference is the foundaton she's building will ensure our future as a human race. Mama Hill's Help, Inc. must survive!
Very moving story! Mama Hills' voice, the footage of her receiving the award, the faces of the children she is helping, and the scene of her on the courthouse steps are all very powerful images that brings the viewer right into the heart of this problem.
Amazing Music.
Definetly a moving story.