ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (KMOX) -  A circuit court judge rules that St. Louis County’s foreclosure mediation ordinance can stay in place.

Councilwoman Hazel Erby says that means starting Friday homeowners facing foreclosure should be able to take their lenders to mediation, although she admits that’s little consolation to those who lost their homes while the matter was tied up in court.

“I didn’t have anything to tell them except to just pray and hope for the best,” Erby said.

The Missouri Bankers Association, which filed suit to strike down the law, promises to appeal the ruling.