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this hereHome Owners Assistance Fund (HAF)is a federal assistance program designed to help homeowners who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 disease pay their mortgage or other household expenses.
check your local program
Click the link below for details and to apply if your state, territory or territory is currently accepting applications.
- Check to see if programs in your area are accepting applications
- Find program listings for tribal members
Important information about the program
Here you can find answers to key questions about the HAF program. For other questions, see additional details below orContact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. They can help you with the application process.
The Homeowner Relief Fund was established under the US Savings Act to help homeowners financially affected by the COVID-19 disease with certain home-related expenses. The goal of the program is to prevent:
- Mortgage problems such as delinquency, non-payment or foreclosure
- Loss of electricity or other household goods
- Homeowner displaced and unable to work
Available HAF programs depend on your region. Each state or territory has its own scheme. Tribes (or their tribally designated housing units), the Hawaii Department of Home Affairs, and the District of Columbia also develop these programs.
Many programs will begin accepting applications in early 2022. In total, approximately $10 billion will be distributed to programs across the country.
To be eligible, you must:
- You have experienced financial difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Apply for assistance for your primary residence.
- Household income is at or below your state's program requirements. Most state programs limit eligibility to households earning less than 150% of your area median income or $79,900, whichever is greater. So some plans have lower limitsCheck the income requirements for your program before applying .
- You may also need to meet specific additional requirements for the program you are applying for.
Depending on the program, homeowners can use these funds to pay for the following:
- Mortgage loan payments, including late payments
- Property tax
- home owner insurance
- Fees for associations of apartment owners
- Utilities such as electricity, natural gas, home energy (including firewood and heating oil), water and wastewater
- internet service
- certain home repairs
Not all plans will cover all the costs listed here.Check your local program for details.
The application process may differ from place to place. You must confirm that you meet the income requirements and may be asked to provide other necessary documentation. You must certify that you experienced financial hardship after January 21, 2020 and describe the nature of that hardship, such as job loss, loss of income, or increased expenses due to health care or the need to care for a family member.
Visit this page to learn more about your programand select the appropriate country, territory or territory on the map. You will be able to go to the specific program page in your area where you can sign up now or sign up to receive alerts when your program is available.
If you are part of a tribe or live on tribal land, you can contact your affiliated tribal government to find out what HAF resources are available. If you are originally from Hawaii, you canFind more information on the Hawaii Homestead Mortgage Relief Program website.
additional details
In most cases, projects are funded as non-repayable grants. But in some cases, individual projects may need a refund. For example, if you sell your home before a certain date, you may be required to return it.Check the specific program requirementsAccording to your region.
If you're still not sure whether you should repay the aid you received,Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
Applying is not a guarantee that you will receive financial aid. Depending on your region, some programs may not have enough funding to help every applicant. Some places expect to receive more applications than are funded for their programs.
In most cases, if you are approved, the funds will be sent directly to your mortgage lender, utility company, or contractor who made the repairs (if they participate in the HAF program). Your mortgage servicer is the company that sends you your mortgage statement and disburses your mortgage loan. If the funds are being used to pay the mortgage, it's a good idea to call your servicer to discuss the process, confirm their participation in the HAF program, and let them know they can receive payments from the HAF program. HAF assistance can and should be used in addition to any other payment adjustment options offered by your mortgage institution.
A HUD-certified housing counselor can help you with the application process.Find a housing advisor near you.
Many states cover a wide range of housing, including:
- family house
- Two-story apartment
- an apartment
- One to four residential units
- Trailer
See your local program for details
If you are eligible for HAF, you can still apply for HAF even after the foreclosure process has already started.It depends on who owns your mortgage, while you are in the process of applying for HAF, the foreclosure process can be put on hold, and if approved, that money can be used to liquidate your mortgage and stop the foreclosure altogether. For example ifFannie MaeorFreddie MacYour provider usually must stop enforcement activity for up to 60 days after your HAF program notifies you of your application.
Other government agencies, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the State of Virginia (VA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), strongly encourage servicers to receive notification that a borrower has applied for or been approved for HAF, but does not require help. Then the execution procedure is suspended. Some state HAF programs may require servicers to cease enforcement activity. Check with your HAF plan to see if they have notified your provider. Regardless of who backs your mortgage, it's a good idea to let your servicer know that you've filed for HAF and ask if you can stop the foreclosure process.
If you're worried about losing your home to foreclosure, give us a callHUD-approved housing counseling agenciesWho can help you make a plan. If you need a lawyer, you may be entitled to free legal advice through your lawyerLocal bar association or legal aid.If you are a service employee, please contact your localLegal Aid Office.
Yes, if you have been approved for HAF funding but your provider is having trouble accepting payment, you canFile a complaint online. We will pass it on to the company and try to get back to you, usually within 15 days.
If you are not approved, try contacting your local HAF program representative who can explain why you do not meet their eligibility criteria.Find your program by visiting this websiteand select the appropriate country, territory or territory on the map.
Scammers often target vulnerable homeowners who need help or are trying to stay in their homes. A common tactic used by scammers is to ask you to pay a fee before any service is provided. They may also try to charge you to sign up for a free plan. It is usually unnecessary and often illegal for a company to charge you a down payment and promise to help you pay your mortgage. Avoid any company that does this.There is no application fee for HAF.
In addition, scammers may ask you to sign over title, ask you to sign documents you don't understand, tell you to start making payments to someone other than your servicer or lender, or ask you to stop paying all your mortgages. carefulavoid liars Who participates in these practices.
You should always ensure that you obtain information and applications from official government websites (eg those with addresses ending in ".gov") and sources. Fraudsters sometimes use websites that look like official government websites to trick consumers. If you're not sure if something is a scam,Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
If you don't meet the eligibility requirements for HAF and are still worried about losing your home, you may have other options.Learn more about some possible options for making up a missed mortgage paymentOr contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. They can help you understand your options and guide you through the paperwork and process of working with a service provider.Find a housing advisor near you.
Pod,help is free. You don't have to pay anyone to help you avoid foreclosure.