Aware that the number of foreclosures has been on the rise, County Executive Andy Spano, Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young and County Legislator Lyndon Williams are inviting the community to a special forum to help homeowners -- and future homeowners -- make sure it doesn’t happen to them. A panel of experts will talk about the steps people can take to prevent foreclosure and what resources are available to help them.

Thursday’s program will run from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1 S. Roosevelt Sq.

The county planning department will also speak about “Lead Safe Westchester,” a program that makes funds available to remove lead-based paint from older homes and apartments.

The Aug. 21 program is part of a larger series initiated by the Westchester County Office of African American Affairs, the African American Advisory Board, the Westchester County Planning Department and Westchester Residential Opportunities.

The county will work with other community-based groups to bring similar forums to other parts of the county. For more information, call (914) 428-4507, (914) 995-2934 or (914) 995-2961.