COVID stress mortgage help still available

Utah homeowners still struggling with mortgage payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for mortgage assistance from $66 million in federal pandemic relief funds still available to mortgagees.

A new application period is open and runs through Nov. 7. The program will first be available for applicants whose incomes are equal to or less than 100 percent of the county area median income (AMI) in which the household resides or 100 percent of AMI for the U.S., whichever is greater. Homeowners facing immediate foreclosure are also eligible to apply.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“For Utahns facing economic uncertainty, there’s nothing more important than knowing that they can remain in their home,” said Nate McDonald, deputy director at the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS). “We want to make sure these funds go to those truly in need and in danger of losing their home. To help make this program run as smoothly as possible, we ask that only people who meet the income eligibility criteria and are delinquent in the payments apply so the system doesn’t get bogged down with ineligible applications.”

Eligible Utah homeowners also need to have experienced a documented financial hardship associated with COVID-19 after Jan. 21, 2020, and own the Utah property for which they are applying for assistance. Approved applicants will be required to participate in either homeowner counseling or a homeowner education program.

DWS has partnered with Community Development Corp. of Utah to administer program funding.

“We are happy to assist in keeping Utahns in their homes with this program. Before applying, applicants should gather documentation that will help expedite the process, including their most recent mortgage statement, demand letter or foreclosure notice, income documentation and their government-issued identification,” said Mike Akerlow, CEO of Community Development Corporation of Utah.

Further information is available at homeownersassistance.utah.gov.{/mprestriction}