This study looked at the broad impact that Philadelphia's mortgage foreclosure mediation program is having on the foreclosure process overall, the efficiency of the courts, and the sustainability of agreements that result in homeowners keeping their homes and found that the program is for the most part achieving its goals.

The program is far-reaching, with 60% to 70% of all foreclosures eligible for mediation. Most eligible cases are those that were filed after the beginning of the program (day after cases). Some that were filed as long as four years before the program began were able to petition to participate (day back cases). Of the eligible homeowners, 70% appeared for their session, and of those cases, 33% reached agreement.

The agreements reached were sustainable. Eighty-five percent of the homeowners who reached an agreement that allowed them to stay in their homes were still in their homes 18 months later.

There was a large discrepancy in the percent of cases that proceeded to a Sheriff's sale. While the average was 16% of all participating cases ending with a Sheriff's sale, only 2% of day after cases resulted in a Sheriff's sale, as opposed to 58% of day back cases. The percentage of cases that proceeded to sale dropped after the inception of the program.

The program has not adversely affected the time cases are in the system, and appears not to involve more court appearances. Furthermore, it appears to have improved access to the judicial process, with no discernible difference in participation or agreement rate between income levels or ethnicity.