When military men and women deploy oversees, one of the last things they should worry about is how to pay their mortgage when they return.

However, many military towns across the United States are seeing an increase in foreclosures.

"This war is very unusual. Over half the soldiers are National Guard and Reserves. They are going on multiple tours. They are leaving their regular jobs and going into military pay status, which could be significantly different. It could be half of what their income is," said Shad Meshad with the National Veterans Foundation.

Bobbie Moran, an Army emergency relief officer at Fort Rucker, says she has not seen an increase in the number of people needing assistance.

Emergency Relief leaders say the reason why local soldiers are not facing foreclosures at the rate of the national average is because of local towns like Daleville, Enterprise, Ozark and Dothan who have a strong economy.

"This area is growing. I think the people, the mayors in the cities have been proactive in keeping the area growing. I still see the military, as far as Fort Rucker, growing. We hear about more soldiers coming in and training everyday. I think that's what's keeping us ahead of things," said Moran.

Congressman Bobby Filner of California said, “We've got to help as a society these young people who are involved, and those that are involved in previous ones. The kids who are in Iraq and Afghanistan know how they are going to be treated when they get home, and we better do this right."

Filner is proposing to extend the service member' Civil Relief Act. That act is designed to protect soldiers from losing homes for nonpayment of mortgages while on active duty and for 90 days when they return home. He wants to extend it to a year.

In order for that to pass, he has to get the backing of Congress.

If you are having a problem financially upon your return from service, you can contact the Army Emergency Relief Office at 255-2341.
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