State to Reopen Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund Program Portal to New Applications
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – (Release from Oregon Housing and Community Services) Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will resume accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program at 10 a.m. Aug. 2, 2023. The agency estimates there are enough funds to support about 500 additional eligible homeowners. The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.
The pause that began on May 31, 2023, allowed OHCS to assess current applications in its queue and better project the amount of HAF funds remaining for homeowners. As an exception during the pause, the program continued serving the most at-risk homeowners who were in active foreclosure.
HAF will reopen with a focus on homeowners in active foreclosure and those traditionally underserved by mortgage markets. Homeowners can learn more about eligibility requirements and, if eligible, apply online starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 2, 2023, at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.
HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $72 million of funding available for homeowners is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded. Other loss-mitigation options depend on a homeowner’s mortgage and their servicer. Homeowners should evaluate all their options.
