Gov't unveils plan to shrink some home loans

(AP) - After months of criticism that it hasn't doneenough to prevent foreclosures, the Obama administration isannouncing a plan to reduce the amount some troubled borrowers oweon their home loans. The multifaceted effort will let people who owe more on theirmortgages than their properties are worth get new loans backed bythe Federal Housing Administration, a government agency thatinsures home loans against default. That would be funded by $14 billion from the administration'sexisting $75 billion foreclosure-prevention program. In addition,their existing mortgage companies will be able to receiveincentives to lower their principal balances. The program also includes assistance to help unemployedhomeowners keep paying their mortgages.