Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program Open to Applicants Eligible for Phase 3
The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that Phase 3 applicants may now apply for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program. Oregon has received nearly $90 million from the American Rescue Plan Act’s Homeowner Assistance Fund, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. With the Past-Due Payment Relief Program, past-due payments on qualified housing bills such as mortgage payments, loans secured by manufactured homes, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and more housing-related expenses can be eliminated or reduced up to $50,000.00. Homeowners must be at or below 150% Area Median Income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater.
“HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $90 million of funding granted by the U.S. Treasury is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded.” according to OCHS.
Phase 3 provides HAF help to households who have traditionally been underserved or less able to recover while continuing to serve homeowners who are qualified for Phases 1 and 2. This includes those over the age of 62, people with disabilities, rural, according to their ZIP Code, socially disadvantaged individuals, people whose primary language is not English, as well as homeowners with mortgages where the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the named beneficiary.
“During Phases 1 and 2, it focused on homeowners who were most at risk of foreclosure or who had the fewest options. Program staff will continue to process applications already submitted in Phases 1 and 2. Eligibility information for the different phases is available on the HAF website.”
OCHS says Phase 4 will apply to other eligible applicants if funding is available.
