Like Carmen wrote on Wednesday right here in the blog, there is a silver lining in this financial crisis. We, as Americans, are already starting to build a new foundation based on good money habits. You can see it in retail sales, which show that we’re dialing down the spending; credit card numbers, which show we’re putting away the plastic; and poll after poll shows we’re making the pledge to save more.

The cornerstone of this new foundation will be our homes – the roof over our heads. But many of us are still stuck underwater and upside down in our mortgages, and will need help before they can think of their own silver lining.

On Thursday’s show, Carmen brought on Secretary Steve Preston of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, who urged struggling homeowners, new and old, to seek out the information they need to keep them in their homes.

The recently-passed $700 billion bailout package is an important step in the right direction for homeowners, Preston said. Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or refinance an existing one, provisions in the package will strengthen your ability to get credit as well as the ability for your bank to get the money it needs. There is also a specific provision in the bill that puts in place certain foreclosure prevention activities designed to extend help to current homeowners, Preston said.

For those worried homeowners who have a subprime mortgage getting ready to reset, Preston stressed that foreclosure is not the only option. Refinance through an FHA program, which is government insurance on a loan, he said. Or get a housing counselor through HUD’s Web site that can help find an alternative loan. The FHA program has been extended through HUD, according to Preston, in order to further help people who are going delinquent on their loans. It is structured to help homeowners who are underwater – meaning they owe more on their loan then their home is worth – by helping lenders and borrowers come together to reach solutions on restructured loans.

Preston’s bottom line is this: Remember that your lender doesn’t want your home. They aren’t rooting for you to foreclose. If they can keep you in your home, it’s better for them too. So reach out as soon as you are facing difficulty. Go to a HUD counselor. Send a letter of hardship if you have to. There’s help out there if you know where to look.