Washington - A cross-country bus caravan of cash-strapped Californians will arrive in Washington today for a rally at the Capitol.

The trip began four days ago in California, winding its way across the nation. The travelers stopped several times during an eight city tour collecting signatures for their petitions and picking up more supporters.

The emotional journey is a last resort for some caught in the middle of the mortgage market meltdown.

Tuesday, up to 20 buses will pull up carrying religious leaders and foreclosure victims to rally on Capitol Hill. They are expected to call on Congress and the Obama administration to take bolder action to help homeowners get mortgage relief and put an end to unfair lending practices.

The caravan was put together by People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO), a Christian group whose leaders hope to stop three million preventable foreclosures and rebuild the economy for American families.

Today's participants are especially interested in bankruptcy reform, making it easier for homeowners to modify their loans if banks refuse to work with them.