More lenders combat foreclosure 

More lenders are helping homeowners out with their mortgages, according to Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage companies. In the first two months of this year, more than 1,500 loan workouts were completed in New York, in contrast to the first three months of 2007, when just over 1,000 workouts were completed. Nonprofits and government agencies are also trying to lessen the blow on homeowners, working with banks and consumers to re-work loans and avoid foreclosure.