Jefferson Circuit Court judges, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth joined forces Tuesday to launch the Foreclosure Conciliation Project, a program designed to encourage lenders to explore alternatives to foreclosure.

Local judges have agreed not to require sales of homes in foreclosure before homeowners meet with their lenders.

Those homeowners who follow the program will learn about options such as forbearance agreements and loan modifications.

“Having a clear plan to follow will make this process less traumatic and more educational for homeowners,” said Abramson in a news release.

Last year, 3,264 foreclosures were filed in Jefferson County, which resulted in 2,408 homes sold at a foreclosure sale.

If present trends continue, foreclosure filings will approach 5,000 by the end of the year.

“A foreclosure sale displaces families, disrupts neighborhoods and drains wealth from our community,” Chief Judge Jim Shake said in the release. “If we can use our resources to encourage communication, offer alternatives and prevent significant losses to families and neighborhoods, then we as a community have a responsibility to do that.”