01/06/2022
Governor Larry Hogan on Monday announced the launch of the $248 million Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund, which will support mortgage relief, home repairs, housing counseling, and legal services.
The fund will be administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The department said the funding will be split by:
* $171 million to provide loans to assist homeowners who have experienced financial hardship with their mortgages
* $34 million to provide grants to assist with property tax, homeowner association, and other types of delinquencies
* $10 million for the WholeHome program to help homeowners with necessary repairs and energy efficiency improvements
* $8 million for housing counseling agencies
* $3 million for legal services providers to help homeowners navigate the foreclosure process
* $22 million for program case management, administration, and marketing and outreach to ensure eligible homeowners, including minority populations and those in especially hard-hit areas, are aware of the relief
The MDHCD said Marylanders currently experiencing issues with their mortgage should contact their mortgage servicer to inquire about forbearance and loss mitigation options.
To be connected to housing counseling and legal services, call 1-877-462-7555.
The fund will assist applicants who were unemployed or underemployed on or after Jan. 21, 2020, resulting in mortgage delinquency or forbearance and other types of homeowner delinquencies.
The department launched a program portal for residents to determine their eligibility for assistance. Marylanders can determine their eligibility and apply by visiting homeownerassistance.maryland.gov
