The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) was a federal program established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its primary goal was to help homeowners who had experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: the HAF was a one-time, time-limited appropriation; most state HAF programs have since exhausted their funds and stopped accepting applications. It is described here for historical context — check your state housing agency for any current foreclosure-prevention assistance. The HAF aimed to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
HAF covers past due mortgage payments to prevent foreclosure, pay overdue utility and internet bills, assists with delinquent property taxes, HOA fees and homeowner’s insurance.
Household income must be at or below 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or 100% of the U.S. median income, whichever is greater. Use FreddieMac or FannieMae AMI lookup tools to determine it. Priority is given to households with incomes at or below 100% of the AMI and socially disadvantaged individuals.
Homeowners must demonstrate financial hardship after January 21, 2020, due to the pandemic. This can include job loss, reduced income, or increased expenses.