Washington, D.C.–U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis today joined leaders from major cities across the country to urge states to enact stronger laws requiring mandatory settlement conferences between lenders and borrowers prior to foreclosure sales. The parties advocated for measures similar to those that have already been enacted in Philadelphia, where lenders and borrowers are required to attempt to negotiate a mutually agreeable refinancing or modification of the mortgage that results in a borrower staying in his or her home. Mayor Diaz and Bertha Lewis of ACORN were joined on a conference call by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Oakland City Administrator Dan Lindheim on behalf of Oakland Mayor Ronald V. Dellums.

"Forec...