Apparently someone is starting to realize that the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) is not very effective. The Obama administration is considering expanding their attempt to to ease the housing crisis by banning all foreclosures on home loans unless they have been screened and rejected under the program.

Currently, lenders can begin foreclosure proceedings on any loan that hasn’t been submitted for HAMP eligibility. In the state of Georgia, it only takes one month to foreclose on a property, so slowing down the process would allow more time for the banks to consider alternatives for Georgia homeowners.

Under current HAMP rules, foreclosure litigation can proceed while borrowers are under review for the program or even in a trial modification.

The proposed changes would prohibit lenders from initiating new foreclosure actions before loan screening by HAMP and would require lenders to halt existing proceedings for borrowers once they are in a trial repayment plan.

About 89 percent of outstanding residential mortgage loans are covered by the voluntary HAMP program.

About 2.82 million U.S. homeowners lost properties to foreclosure last year and 4.5 million filings are expected in 2010, according to industry sources.

The Treasury proposal would require all borrowers who are 60 or more days delinquent on their mortgage to be sought out for participation in HAMP. Mortgage companies would need to try to contact the borrower at least four times by phone and twice by certified mail over 30 or more days before going to foreclosure.

Under current Treasury policy, foreclosure proceedings are only halted when a borrower receives a permanent modification plan.