Longer lifeline for struggling homeowners sought by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Homeowners behind on their mortgages could soon win extra time to get caught up, a federal consumer watchdog agency tells CBS MoneyWatch.

An estimated 2 million homeowners are months behind on their home-loan payments due to income losses during the coronavirus pandemic. A foreclosure moratorium passed by Congress last year has kept families in their homes even though they're behind on payments. The moratorium is set to expire next week. Hoping to gain more time for homeowners, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is working on a new rule that would delay many foreclosure scenarios into the foreseeable future. A bureau spokesperson didn't give details Tuesday about the pending rule, but told CBS MoneyWatch the agency expects to hash out a proposal involving mortgage servicers in coming weeks.