Foreclosures before the banks were doing modifications and offering HAFA, etc

There were so many people at the very start of the housing bubble bursting and the economy going to hell in an hand basket! 
When they asked for modifications and help, there wasn't any...forcing these people to file bankruptcy and having to walk away from there homes...losing their down payments, imoprovements and whatever equity they tried to build - mostly for retirement.  What about these poor slobs, that now live in apartments, make 5 year loan payments to the banlkruptcy trustee...and have nothing left???
Where is the aid for them? 
I know of people that put over $70K down on a home, valued at $300 and when the market fell, so did the value of the home BUT the payments doubled.  The bank took 2 years to foreclose, and took a loss on the home - instead of letting the people stay in the home, pay what they could afford, taking care of the property...all until they could get on their feet and the housing market could come back....What is wron with these banks?  And what is wrong with the government for letting this happen.  These people worked all of their lives...and now, at age 55 are working harder than ever...with no retirement and who knows about SS?  Whaere will they love then?????