More help for people with home mortgage and repossession problems is on the way in the form of far-reaching federal housing legislation that hasn't been seen since the Great Depression.

And the $300 billion measure comes at a critical time as the Bowie area's foreclosure rate has doubled in the past year.

The new bill, signed yesterday by President George W. Bush, offers crucial financial assistance to middle-income, first-time home buyers; expands free housing counseling to distressed homeowners; and assures federal backing for lenders. It also shores up the financial footing and oversight of troubled mortgage lenders Fannie...