32 Million Struggling to Pay Mortgages

A new Harris Poll shows that 22 percent of U.S. homeowners with mortgages - 32 million people - are having a tough time making payments, including 7 percent — 11 million folks — who say they're experiencing "a great deal of difficulty". . Also, 1 in 5 borrowers now say their homes are worth less than what they owe.

The researchers say that's somewhat of an improvement over last year, when those who were struggling to make payments were at 29 percent. Borrowers who said they were having a great deal of difficulty a year ago: 11 percent. And in 2010, 24 percent of those with mortgages thought they were under water, compared with 21 percent now.

Highlights from the survey:
Two thirds (66 percent) of homeowners have mortgages, down from 69 percent last year.
Those who say their homes are worth less what they owe on the mortgage (21 percent of all those with mortgages) include 8 percent who say their homes are worth "a lot less".