Report: Ohio foreclosures increase 45 percent

STAFF REPORT

COLUMBUS — Nearly 86,000 homes went into foreclosure in Ohio last year — a 45 percent increase from five years earlier, according to a report released by the Ohio Supreme Court Wednesday.

In total, 85,773 houses were affected, up from 83,230 in 2007 and 59,041 in 2004.

“This report shows that an unprecedented number of Ohioans continue to face the prospect of losing their homes, and Ohio courts continue to struggle with record foreclosure filings,” Chief Justice Thomas Moyer said in a released statement. “There is some positive news in this report, though, as some counties have seen significant declines, and the overall rate of growth in foreclosure filings declined in 2008.”

The results represented the 13th consecutive annual increase in foreclosure filings. A total of 61 counties had an increase in filings in 2008 over 2007, while 26 decreased and one (Paulding) remained steady.