Donated homes become silver lining of foreclosure crisis

As the foreclosure crisis continues, experts predict that nonprofit organizations will receive even more donated homes.

For example, the number of homes rehabilitated by Habitat for Humanity that were donated or bought at bargain prices nearly doubled to 1,210 during the year-over-year period ended in June 2011.

Wells Fargo said it donated over 1,120 homes last year and Bank of America plans to increase its home donations to more than 1,200 in 2012.

Many of the donated dwellings are in bad shape, but turning them over to a nonprofit gives homeowners a charitable tax deduction, eliminates maintenance costs and improves neighborhoods.