COVID-19 has forced millions of homeowners to fall behind on their mortgages and other housing-related expenses through no fault of their own. The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is a new federal program to help these households catch up on their overdue bills and remain in their homes. A large majority of states are running this program through their state’s housing finance agency.
The purpose of the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020. Funds from the HAF may be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, utility payments, and other specified purposes, like monthly site fees. The law prioritizes funds for homeowners who have experienced the greatest hardships, leveraging local and national income indicators to maximize the impact.
Homeowners in Resident Owned Communities should use this state resource finder to apply for state-issued funding if they are behind on their home payments.
Residents who are behind on monthly site fees only should apply for assistance through a separate program, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).