Mortgage assistance programs
Financial Assistance & Building Credit

Need financial help? Consider these Mortgage Assistance Programs.

10/2022

Mortgage assistance in Michigan.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF)
Prevents homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after January 21, 2020 or homeowners who experienced a coronavirus pandemic financial hardship that began before January 21, 2020 but continued after that date.

Who is eligible?

  • Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence
  • Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020

What help is available?

Up to $25,000 grant per household to pay:

  • Delinquent mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages
  • Delinquent land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments
  • Delinquent property taxes
  • Delinquent condominium/homeowners’ association fees
  • Delinquent homeowner’s insurance
  • Delinquent utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer
  • Delinquent internet broadband services

How to apply?

There is a list of documentation you will need to review first at  www.michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership/mihaf-homeowner-assistance. Then you can securely apply online. You can also check status of application at that same website. Reach Customer Service at 844-756-4423 or by email at mshda-ho-haf-program@michigan.gov.

Assistance is available in the following counties:

  • Wayne Co. – Foreclosure Prevention and intervention 734-284-6999
  • Oakland Co. – Foreclosure Prevention and intervention 248-209-2600
  • St. Clair Co. – Foreclosure Prevention and intervention 810-982-8541
  • Macomb- Foreclosure Prevention and intervention 586-469-6999
  • Monroe – Foreclosure Prevention and intervention 734-241-2775

Mortgage assistance in Illinois.

Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF)
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Program provides direct financial assistance to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements, and foreclosures for income-eligible homeowners experiencing pandemic-related hardships.  Starting April 2022. 

What help is available?

Funds are available to help with:

  • Delinquent mortgage payments
  • Mortgage reinstatement or other housing-related costs related to a period of forbearance necessitated by the pandemic
  • Delinquent property taxes
  • Delinquent homeowner’s insurance and/or flood insurance
  • Delinquent Homeowner/Condominium/Co-Op Association fees
  • Delinquent mobile home lot rent

 

How to apply?

Before applying for the ILHAF program, please consult with a housing counselor to discuss options and resources that might be available for you.  If you have received a court summons or any other court papers, don’t wait. Reach out to legal aid to get help right away. Visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org for a list of HUD-approved housing counselors and a list of legal aids.  Illinois also offers Financial Management Assistance.

Mortgage assistance in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH)
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020. Up to $40,000 per eligible household. Assistance below $10,000 will be provided as a grant. Assistance over $10,000 will be structured as a 1-year, non-interest bearing, non-amortizing forgivable loan. The loan is due in full upon sale, refinance, or transfer of ownership. If no resale, transfer, or refinance occurs within 1 year and the homeowner remains in the home, the loan will be fully forgiven.

Who is eligible?

  • Wisconsin homeowners living in a: Single-family home,   Duplex,   Condo, or Factory-built home
  • Those who have been financially impacted since January 21, 2020.
  • Those with a hou​sehold income at or below 100% of the county median​.

What qualifies for financial hardship?

  • Job loss, loss of wages, or fewer paid hours at work.
  • If you are self-employed, and your business is no longer supplying you with income or your income has been reduced.
  • Independent contractors or gig workers who have not been able to earn fees, or whose fees have been reduced.
  • Those who have become sick or been advised by a governmental or medical professional to self-quarantine.
  • Those who have had to leave a job or reduce work hours in order to care for a person who is sick.
  • Those who have had to leave a job or reduce work hours to care for dependents whose ordinary situations (such as school or daycare) have been disrupted.
  • Those who have increased household costs, including the cost of fuel and utilities.
  • Those who had an unexpected COVID-related medical or funeral expense.
  • Those who had unexpected child-care or elderly care expenses.

How to apply?

You can call 1-855-2-HOME-WI to get additional information and find out how to apply in person. Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling – 800-569-4287