Washington, D.C. ? The government is considering a plan that would help around 3 million homeowners avoid foreclosure, sources briefed on the matter said.

A final deal had not been reached as of Wednesday afternoon and negotiations could still fall apart, but government agencies were contemplating using around $50 billion from the recently passed bailout of the financial industry to guarantee about $500 billion in mortgages.

The plan could include loan modifications that would lower interest rates for a five-year period, according to two people briefed on the plan, who asked not to be identified because details were still being worked out.

The plan would be the most aggressive effort yet to limit damages from the U.S. housing recession, which has shaken global credit markets.