March 7, 2022 by Clarissa Ayala
The Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund Program (TXHAF) Application Portal is OPEN!
Are you behind on your mortgage or related expenses? The Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund Program (TXHAF) opened its application portal on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
TXHAF provides financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TXHAF will provide eligible homeowners with grants to pay past due mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and/or HOA fees.
The program’s goal is to help homeowners avoid foreclosure on their primary residence by providing mortgage assistance. Your lender’s agreement to participate may be required, since mortgage assistance is directly provided to lenders on the homeowner’s behalf.
Eligibility Qualifications
- The household gross income (total income before deductions, taxes, health care costs,
social security, etc.) must not exceed 100 percent of the area median income (AMI) for the county in which the property is located, or 100% US Median Income. -and-
- The property must be located within the state of Texas. -and-
- The applicant for TXHAF assistance must be the owner of the property. -and-
- There must be an eligible past due expense. -and-
- There must be a Covid-19 related eligible financial hardship (loss of income or increase in expenses).
Eligible Property Types
- Owner Occupied, Primary Residences. No Second Homes.
- Single Family Residences, One to Four Unit Dwellings, Condos, Manufactured Homes and Townhomes.
Assistance
$65,000 Max Assistance Amount provided as a grant up to $40,000 in mortgage assistance
-plus- up to $25,000 in property charges (property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, or HOA debt) assistance.
Assistance Types
- Mortgage Reinstatement Assistance
- Assistance up to $40,000 for delinquencies.
- Eliminate past due payments and other delinquent amounts, including payments under a forbearance plan, on forward mortgages, reverse mortgages, loans secured by manufactured homes, or contracts for deed.
- Property Charge Assistance
- Assistance up to $25,000.
- Covers property taxes, HOA fees, insurance, and common charges that threaten ownership.
How do I apply?
If you qualify, apply for program assistance by visiting www.texashomeownerassistance.com or calling 1-833-651-3874 for more information, Monday-Friday 8am-6pm CST. Other organizations can help you navigate the application process. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing counselors can help homeowners navigate TXHAF applications for free. You can find a HUD housing counselor in your area by visiting this website: https://www.hud.gov/counseling.
UPDATE 4/6/2022
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will require servicers to suspend foreclosure activities for up to 60 days if the servicer has been notified that a borrower has applied for assistance under the Department of the Treasury’s Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). Read the FHFA’s Press Release for more information.
If you have questions about the Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund Program, there are detailed answers to the most common questions at: https://www.texashomeownerassistance.com/faq/.
If you or someone you know has issues with your mortgage, property taxes, or homeowner’s association, you can apply for free legal assistance by visiting www.lonestarlegal.org or calling 1-800-733-8394.,
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of Southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
