Foreclosures in Miami-Dade County surged 94 percent in September compared to a year ago, with 5,721 homeowners receiving word their lenders had initiated foreclosure proceedings. In Broward, the rate rose two percent, with 3,493 homes entering foreclosure.

The monthly figures released Thursday by RealtyTrac -- which tallies new filings, scheduled auction sales and homes that were returned to lenders -- suggest rising unemployment may be worsening the region's foreclosure problem.

In Miami-Dade, some 1,312 homes were slated for auction in September and 687 were reclaimed by banks. In Broward, 1,769 were scheduled for public sale and 1,280 were taken back by banks. Broward and Miami-Dade ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, among the worst performing counties in Florida. St. Lucie County ranked first.

Statewide foreclosures rose 15 percent compared to a year ago, with a total of 55,036 homes in some stage of foreclosure. In September, Florida ranked third nationally.

For the third quarter, the rate in Miami-Dade was up 52 percent, compared with the same three months a year ago. In Broward, foreclosures rose 27 percent in the period ending Aug. 31.

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