NASHVILLE, Tenn. --

The newest figures by RealtyTrac, a company that monitors foreclosures, show that more families in Nashville and its surrounding towns can't make their mortgage payments.

One out of every 112 households was in foreclosure during the period from January to June 2010. That’s up 39 percent over the first six months of 2009.

David Hillstrom is fighting to keep his home after losing his job and taking one that paid far less. He said he isn't surprised by what the numbers show.

"It’s a sad thing to see. There's a lot of people are in the same boat we are," Hillstrom said.

Hillstrom’s Franklin home was just hours away from being sold at a foreclosure auction last month before he and his wife got a reprieve with the help of an attorney.

"That Friday morning, you probably could have tapped me on the shoulder and I would have had a heart attack," said Hillstrom.

The Hillstroms are trying to save their home through a loan modification program. Government reports show few people succeed.

Rod Williams works at the nonprofit Woodbine Community Organization, negotiating with banks on behalf of people about to lose their homes.

"I'll tell you the truth: The program has been a failure," Williams said.

He said he believes foreclosures are increasing because the banks are not willing to work with clients.

"The system is not working. It's very frustrating,” Williams said.

The Hillstrom family lived that first-hand. David Hillstrom has been fighting with his mortgage company for nine months to lower his payments. The bank agreed to a new payment plan, he said, then they foreclosed anyway.

Middle Tennessee is not alone in feeling the pain of rising foreclosure rates. According to RealtyTrac, foreclosures continued to rise in three-quarters of the nation's metropolitan areas in the first half of the year.

For help from a nonprofit counselor regarding a possible foreclosure, go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Website.