The city of North Las Vegas is looking at a controversial plan that would help homeowners who own more on their homes than they are worth stay in their homes.

A company called Mortgage Resolution Partners pitched the idea of using eminent domain to take mortgages from lending banks, during Wednesday's city council meeting.

After seizing the mortgages, the city would then work with the homeowner to refinance their homes while Mortgage Resolution Partners would hold the mortgages.

"The entire purpose of this program is to keep homeowners in their homes. To keep the blight and deterioration of communities associated with foreclosure from continuing," Bryon Georgiou with Mortgage Resolution Partners said.

The Greater Association of Las Vegas Realtors does not want the plan. The group says it raises legal questions and would give lenders little reason to try to finance any homes in the area.

Seven homes are now for sale in North Las Vegas has part of the North Las Vegas Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The homes have been refurbished and upgraded to be more energy efficient. The properties have new kitchen appliances, and washers and dryers are included. The city worked with four nonprofits to rehabilitate and resell the homes.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program was started to help neighborhoods hit particularly hard by the foreclosure crisis.

The program also offers assistance with closing costs and down payments to qualified home buyers. Buyers must attend a homebuyer education class. To see the homes and the financial qualifications, go to the cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

An Iraq veteran gets major community help to start a new part of his life.

Ignacio Cruz's jaw dropped when he walked through the doorway of his new house Wednesday with his wife, son and daughter.

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