Experts say despite some improvement nationwide, the foreclosure crisis will continue to hit hard in Westchester.

Hundreds of families have already lost their houses this year and hundreds more are at risk. So far this year 498 people countywide have entered foreclosure proceedings and 231 families have already lost their homes since January.

Westchester Residential Opportunities says it is trying to keep people in their homes if at all possible, through counseling and renegotiating with lenders. They say the only way to get the number of foreclosures down is if bankruptcy judges make some changes in adjustable-rate and predatory loans.