Program
Program Information
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) helps those who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments and other housing expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to U.S. Treasury guidance, at least 60% of assistance provided must be provided to low-income homeowners. Any assistance provided to medium-income homeowners must prioritize socially disadvantaged individuals (as defined by U.S. Treasury). To help meet these requirements, OHCS only provides ongoing payment assistance to low-income households. OHCS opened its HAF program first to homeowners the most at risk of foreclosure and socially disadvantaged individuals.
Homeowners who apply for relief through the Homeowner Assistance Fund will be evaluated for all its programs. Homeowners may not receive more than $60,000 in total assistance.
Past-Due Payment Relief Program
The Past-Due Payment Relief program provides eligible low- and medium-income homeowners with up to $50,000 to pay off past-due balances for eligible housing costs, including:
- unresolved forbearance plan balances
- forward (traditional) mortgages, ITIN loans, and closed home equity lines of credit
- reverse mortgages
- loans secured by manufactured homes (chattel loans) and lot fees
- loans secured by floating homes and moorage fees
- land sale contracts
- property taxes that are at least two years delinquent
- homeowners’ association (HOA) or condo association dues
- monthly maintenance fees for cooperative ownership housing
- ground lease payments and/or land trust charges
Ongoing Payment Relief Program
The Ongoing Payment Relief program provides eligible low-income homeowners with money to cover all or some of their monthly mortgage payments and housing costs going forward for up to six months, not to exceed $10,000 per household.
Please note that OHCS will not provide ongoing payment assistance for county property taxes or homeowner’s insurance unless those costs are included in the monthly mortgage payment amount.
Types of Assistance
For approved applications, OHCS will make payments directly to the servicer, county, HOA, or other housing entity. Assistance is in the form of a five-year, no-interest, forgivable loan. The loan is recorded as a second mortgage/lien of up to $60,000 on your property with the county or, if determined by OHCS, as a security interest on your home. The lien document states “up to $60,000,” because the payment amount and total assistance can change during the application and payment process. The actual lien amount will be the total amount of assistance received even though the security interest states “up to $60,000.”
For most homeowners, the entire loan is forgiven after five years. If you sell your home or refinance it for cash within five years, you have to repay the portion of the loan that has not yet been forgiven. In addition, if you commit fraud, provide false information, or are unable or unwilling to provide documentation to support your application, your loan will not be forgiven and you may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil action.
What’s Next?
Learn more about the Homeowner Assistance Fund’s eligibility criteria.