The Bottom Line For First
This isnt a law yet, so the grant money isnt currently available for home buyers.
Learn more about the Build Back Better Act.
Do you have questions about any of these programs? Feel free to reach out to us in the chat and we are happy to answer any of them for you.
Dan Green
Dan Green is a former mortgage loan officer and an industry expert. He’s appeared on NPR and CNBC, and in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and dozens of local newspapers. Dan has helped millions of first-time home buyers get educated on mortgages, real estate, and personal finance. Have mortgage questions? Ask Dan in the chat.
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Residential Rebates By City/region
The terms, conditions, eligibility criteria, and loan amounts vary based on the city, municipality, or county thats offering the program. Most regions havent announced a closing date. Heres a list of places where homeowners can take advantage of the Ontario Renovates Program:
- Brantford: The program is open to homeowners based on income and home value, and can provide up to $20,000 in forgivable loans.
- Chatham-Kent: The municipality is offering up to $30,000.
- Huron County: Low- to moderate-income households could be eligible for a $5,000 grant or $10,000 forgivable loan.
- Nipissing District: Up to $25,000 is available to low- and moderate-income households.
- Ottawa: Up to $20,000 in forgivable loans and grants is available to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, and the program is open until March 31, 2021.
- Kingston: Kingston is offering something similar called Kingston-Frontenac Renovates. The program offers $5,000 loans or $10,000 interest-free loans, and the money can also be used to cover furnace upgrades, emergency repairs, and mold remediation.
- Leeds Grenville: Up to $15,000 in forgivable loans is available.
- Simcoe County: The County of Simcoe has up to $15,000 available to homeowners, and the money can also be put toward urgent repairs.
Toronto: The City of Torontos Home Energy Loan Program provides low-interest loans up to $75,000 to homeowners who want to make home energy improvements. The money can be used to pay for:
State And Federal Assistance Programs Can Help You Keep Your Home
Feeling overwhelmed by your mortgage payment? It may be that the total cost of homeownershipfrom your house payments to utilities to insurance costswasnt quite clear to you before you took the plunge. Or perhaps you suffered a job loss or an unexpected family medical emergency. No matter the reason, falling behind on your mortgage payments is always a scary prospect.
So, what do you do when you just cant make ends meet? Before doing something drastic, like skipping out on your loan payments, consider getting some help. There are plenty of government mortgage assistance programs that can help you get back on your feet. Lets take a look.
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Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
- Up to $35,000 per household for expenses which may include:
- Mortgage reinstatement
- Municipal or property tax liens
- Mortgage payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and homeowners insurance
ELIGIBILITY:
- To qualify for assistance, a homeowner must:
- Own and occupy an eligible one- to four- unit primary residence
- Have experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship, and have been unableto remain current on mortgage payments
- Meet household income limits
- Have been current on mortgage and property taxes as of January 2020
Governor Philip D. Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver today announced the upcoming launch of the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program on February 8, 2022. This program financed by the Homeowner Assistance Fund provides up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrearages and other housing cost delinquencies for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The ERMA application portal opens on Tuesday, February 8 at 9 AM. Access the application portal at .
- Free housing counseling is available to assist with applications. Find a participating counselor here.
- Contact 647-7700 or for additional support.
To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:
Youre Our First Priorityevery Time
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about , but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.Here is a list of our partners.
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What Is A Mortgage Relief Refinance
When most people think of government or Congress mortgage relief, theyre thinking of HARP the Home Affordable Refinance Program.
HARP was a government program rolled out by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in 2009. For nine years, it helped millions of homeowners refinance after being hard-hit by the housing crisis.
The HARP program ended in 2018.
But many homeowners were still underwater on their mortgages especially in areas where home values have fallen instead of rising in recent years.
So Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac created similar relief programs, called HIRO and FMERR, to help homeowners refinance with little or no home equity.
The federal government also offers mortgage relief via the FHA, VA, and USDA Streamline Refinance programs. These low-doc refinance loans dont require a home appraisal, so homeowners can refinance even if they have very little home equity or if their home values have fallen.
How To Find Out If Your Loan Is Federally Backed
To find out whether your loan is backed by the federal government, making you eligible for the help noted above, here are some actions that you can take:
- Check online. Use loan lookup tools provided by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to find out if either of those two government-backed providers owns your mortgage.
- Check the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems website to find your servicer, if you dont know who it is.
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What If You Have A Non
Federal regulators believe most non-government-backed lenders and loan servicers will adopt policies similar to those mandated by the CARES Act and subsequent legislation. To find out, contact your loan servicer, ask what programs it has in place to provide mortgage relief to homeowners impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, and follow any instructions you are given.
Although the CARES Act does not require private lenders to offer mortgage assistance, if you and your lender come to any type of loan modification agreement, then the law regarding not reporting reduced or paused payments to does apply to you.
If your mortgage forbearance is set to expire soon, then you may be able to request an extensionbut you must apply before forbearance ends.
New Government Rebates For Heating & Cooling Systems
Making the decision to invest in a new heating and cooling system for your home is a big one. The financial expense that comes along with your new system is significant. Fortunately, the federal government of Canada has released many new rebate programs that can allow you to put money back into your wallet.
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Hiro Eligibility: Qualify For Mortgage Relief And A Lower Interest Rate
The HIRO qualifications are relatively simple, but they are important. You may be eligible for HIRO if:
- Your current mortgage loan is owned by Fannie Mae*
- Your loan must have been originated after October 1, 2017
- At least 15 months have passed from the note date of the existing loan to the note date of the new home loan
- You have made all your payments on time in the last 6 months
- Your mortgage balance is 97.1% or higher as a percentage of your homes market value, for a one-unit, owner-occupied dwelling
*You may not even know that your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae. If youre unsure, use this lookup tool on the Fannie Mae website.
If you meet these conditions you are very likely to have access to lower rates but you need to act now before rates go up. Speak with your mortgage lender about relief options.
Assistance For Other Types Of Mortgages
Not all mortgages are backed by government agencies or the GSEs. Sometimes called “portfolio loans,” these mortgages aren’t resold and are kept in-house by the lender. Portfolio loans which can include mortgages for self-employed borrowers, borrowers who are not U.S. citizens or borrowers who have experienced a foreclosure don’t meet Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae’s standards. Lenders may also choose to hang onto a mortgage for other reasons.
Portfolio loans aren’t covered by any of the mortgage relief programs listed above. However, your lender may have its own assistance programs. Follow the steps in the next section to contact your lender.
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Fha Va And Usda Loans: Take Advantage Of Low Interest Rates For Govvernment
If you have a government-backed loan an FHA, VA or USDA loan you wont be able to take advantage of the HIRO or FMERR programs.
Still, theres another great refinance option available, to enable homeowners to reduce their mortgage interest rate even if their homes market value is low compared to their mortgage balance.
If your mortgage is backed by the Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Agriculture, you have refinancing options, even if your mortgage is underwater.
FHA, VA and USDA loan programs all offer Streamline Refinance options, which are quick and affordable refinance loans with reduced eligibility requirements. These Streamline Refinance programs require little paperwork and take less time and money than a conventional refinance.
Editorial: Improve Flood Insurance Programyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
As Hurricane Ida’s path of destruction makes clear, millions of Americans are increasingly vulnerable to costly floods. That includes a significant portion of Hampton Roads, where rising seas and land subsidence make this one of the nation’s worst places for recurrent flooding.
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Streamline Refinance Your Government
Youve probably heard of refinancing, which is the act of securing a second mortgage to pay off your first. There are plenty of reasons for this, including changing your rate terms or rate length.
Streamline refinances are available for government-backed loans. Unlike typical refinances, streamlined refinances require limited credit documentation and underwriting, which may make them easier to achieve. Be aware that your loan must be current in order to qualify for a streamline refinance.
Is There A Congress Mortgage Stimulus Program
With Covid-era relief efforts winding down, some Congress mortgage stimulus programs are coming to a close.
Fortunately, homeowners who need to lower their mortgage payments are not out of options.
Millions of homeowners are still refinance eligible. And with a wide variety of mortgage programs available, even those with little or no equity might qualify for a lower rate and cheaper monthly payment.
> Related: The best way to refinance your mortgage
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Up To $25000 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 utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer
- Delinquent internet broadband services
Types Of Reverse Mortgages
- Federally Insured Reverse Mortgages – Known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
- Proprietary Reverse Mortgages
- Single Purpose Reverse Mortgages
When finding a lender remember:
- Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment
- Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor
- Never sign anything you do not fully understand
- Make sure the loan is federally insured
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Determining When You Need Mortgage Assistance
Understanding when you need help may be difficult. Lets say you lost your job in 2020. Thanks to government stimulus programs, you were able to keep up with your mortgage payments over the last year. However, some of those programs have ended and youre still unemployed. Your savings are dwindling fast, and finding another job doesnt seem likely in the immediate short term.
Once you realize youll have difficulty making your mortgage payments, act quickly. Generally speaking, banks report late payments once they exceed the 30-day mark, and that can cause a big hit to your credit score.
But even more frightening than damaging your credit is the prospect of losing your house. Since a mortgage is a type of secured debt, your property will be at risk of foreclosure if you fail to keep up with your payments. Although legally, banks arent able to foreclose on your home unless youre at least 120 days delinquent, youll still want to move as quickly as possible to prevent it.
Streamline Refinancing For Fha Va And Usda Loans
Popular mortgage relief programs since 2009 have only been available to homeowners with conventional mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
But what if your loan is government-backed?
Homeowners with federally-backed FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages have access to different mortgage programs than those with conventional loans.
Namely, they can use a Streamline Refinance.
The Streamline Refinance is a special mortgage refi program for people with government-backed loans.
Its similar to a mortgage relief refinance, because you can use a Streamline Refi even if your home is underwater or has very little equity.
And a Streamline Refinance has other benefits, too.
- Theres less paperwork because you dont have to re-verify your income or employment or get the home appraised
- Government-backed loans typically have below-market mortgage interest rates
- Closing costs are typically cheaper
Homeowners can qualify for an FHA Streamline if theyve made at least three consecutive on-time payments on their existing FHA loan.
Even if you make your three consecutive payments while in forbearance, you may qualify for FHA Streamline refinancing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development , which oversees the Federal Housing Administration, is one of the more lenient housing agencies.
For a VA Streamline Refinance , the rules are more lenient.
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Canadian Government Grants For Seniors Up To $40k
In:Accessibility, Organization
It is important for seniors to be able to live comfortably and be able to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. There are several Canadian Government grants for seniors to help make it possible for them to be independent, able to look after themselves, and stay in the familiar environment of their own home. Weve compiled a list of Canadian government grants for seniors available in various provinces and for seniors living on reserves. The top inexpensive improvement that can greatly improve accessibility in your kitchen is installing sliding shelves. Top find out the other ways to improve accessibility by using grants keep reading.
How Do I Apply
- Use the secure online application portal COMING SOON to submit your application for assistance.
- This is the best way to apply for those who have a smart phone, tablet, or computer.
- First review the Acceptable Documentation List and be prepared to provide supporting documentation, such as photo ID, social security number, monthly income/benefit statement, and delinquent housing expense statements.
- For updates on the programs, please add your email to the INFORMATION EMAIL LIST.
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Build Back Better Act
- Status: Passed House vote, Awaiting Senate vote
- Originally Introduced: September 27, 2021
- Latest Action taken: 11/19/2021 – Motion to reconsider laid on the table
The Build Back Better Act is a wide-reaching program from the Biden Administration. It aims to improve everything from education to climate change.
Similar to the Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021, this program would offer first-time, first-generation home buyers up to a $25,000 grant to be used towards closing costs, down payment, and mortgage interest rate reductions. This bill also makes the same allowance where you are considered a first-generation home buyer if your parents or legal guardians dont currently own a home, which will help more people qualify for the grant.
The current criteria* is as follows:
- Must be a first-time home buyer
- Must meet income and purchase price limitations for your area
- Must be purchasing a primary residence – no second homes or investments
- Must use a government-backed mortgage
- Must have parents or legal guardians who dont currently own a home, or lived in foster care during your lifetime
*Note that these may change by the time this becomes a law.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is available for low-income residents and assists them with rental costs. Individuals get to choose their own residence and are not limited to subsidized housing projects. You can choose where you want to live so long as it meets the qualifying requirements. The owner of the rental property you choose must also agree to rent the property using the voucher program.
To be eligible for this program, you must be a U.S. citizen and have a household income that is not more than 50% of the median income in your area. Once eligibility is determined and you have selected a residence where the owner agrees to this program, the local housing authority will inspect the property to ensure it qualifies for its voucher program. Conditions can vary depending on the housing authority in your region.
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