Stop Foreclosure and Catch Up on Housing Bills: Homeowner Assistance Fund Grants Up to $75,000 in COVID Hardship Help

If you’re behind on your mortgage (or property taxes, or HOA dues, or utilities) and your finances took a hit after January 21, 2020, the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is one of the rare government programs that can actually change your month—not just “provide resources,” but write a real check to the people you owe.

This isn’t a coupon. It’s not a loan you’ll be paying off forever. In many states, it’s grant-style assistance paid directly to your mortgage servicer, county tax office, utility provider, or homeowners association to bring your account current. For households staring down late notices, legal letters, or that constant low-grade panic of “What if they start foreclosure?” this program can be the financial fire extinguisher you’ve needed.

Here’s the catch (and it’s a big one): HAF is run by states, territories, and certain Tribal governments. That means the exact rules, income limits, and maximum award amounts depend on where you live. Many programs are still operating into 2025, but most are first-come, first-served until the money runs out—and “funds exhausted” has ended more good intentions than any deadline ever has.

One more important note before we get practical: the Treasury URL provided does resolve, but the latest crawl shows unrelated content and an unusual shutdown notice rather than the expected program page details. So treat the link as a starting point, not your final authority. Your real source of truth is your state HAF program portal (usually housed at a state housing agency or similar). I’ll show you how to find it and apply like someone who enjoys getting approved.

At a Glance: Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

What This Opportunity Offers (And Why It’s Worth Your Time)

HAF is designed for one job: preventing foreclosure and displacement for homeowners whose budgets were knocked sideways by the pandemic and its aftershocks. Think of it as a stabilization program—less “nice-to-have” and more “keep the roof over your head.”

Most state programs can cover several categories of housing-related debt. The biggest headline is usually mortgage reinstatement, which means paying enough to bring your loan current and stop the spiral of late fees, default notices, and foreclosure timelines. In many cases, that’s the difference between sleeping and doom-scrolling at 2 a.m.

But HAF is not just a mortgage program. Depending on your state’s rules, it may also pay property tax arrears (a surprisingly common trigger for losing a home), homeowners insurance past due, HOA or condo association fees, and essential utilities. Some programs even allow limited help for critical home repairs when the issue threatens habitability—because it’s hard to stay housed if your home becomes unlivable.

The money is finite (Congress set aside nearly $10 billion nationally through the American Rescue Plan), and states have been granted time into 2025 to use remaining funds. That’s a polite way of saying: there’s still help out there, but it won’t wait for you to feel ready. If you’re eligible, the smartest move is to get into the application pipeline while your state still has dollars available.

Who Should Apply (Eligibility, Explained Like a Human)

HAF eligibility is built on three core ideas: you own the home, you live in the home, and COVID-era hardship hit your finances. The details vary by state, but the underlying shape is remarkably consistent.

First, you need to show a COVID-19 related financial hardship after January 21, 2020. That can mean job loss, reduced hours, a business downturn, medical bills, caregiving costs, or other pandemic-era expenses that made it harder to pay housing costs. Importantly, many programs accept the idea of “ripple effects.” If your delinquency happened in 2023 or 2024, you may still qualify if you can connect it back to a pandemic-driven chain reaction—long COVID caregiving, depleted savings, delayed return to work, or cost increases that crushed an already-thin budget.

Second, you typically must own and occupy the property as your primary residence. This is not a program for landlords, vacation homes, or investment properties. States often include common home types—single-family homes, condos, manufactured homes (sometimes with restrictions about land ownership), and occasionally co-ops. If you’re on a nontraditional arrangement like a land contract, you may still have a path, but you’ll need to read your state’s rules carefully and prepare extra documentation.

Third, your household income must fall under your state’s limit—often 150% of AMI (Area Median Income) or lower, sometimes with priority buckets under 100% AMI. AMI sounds abstract, but it’s basically a local benchmark for typical income in your county/metro area. Two households with the same income can be eligible in one county and not in another. That’s normal, and it’s exactly why you should start with your state pre-screening tool if they have one.

Finally, most programs want to see that you’re behind or at risk—at least one payment behind on mortgage, taxes, HOA, utilities, or facing an imminent default. If you’re current today but you know the math doesn’t work next month, some states still allow “imminent risk” applications, but you’ll need documentation to support it.

What HAF Can Pay For (And How to Think About Your Request)

A mistake people make is asking for “help” in general terms. HAF programs don’t approve vibes. They approve specific, documented amounts owed to specific entities.

In plain English, here’s what your state program may cover:

• Mortgage reinstatement (bringing the loan current by paying arrears, fees, escrow shortages, and related charges allowed by the program)
• Forward mortgage payments for a limited time in some states (think: temporary help while income stabilizes)
• Property taxes past due (often paid directly to the tax authority)
• Homeowners insurance arrears (especially if required by your mortgage)
• HOA/condo/co-op fees past due (yes, those liens can be nasty)
• Essential utilities (electric, gas, water—depending on program rules)

The practical approach: pull together the exact payoff/reinstatement amounts from each provider. If your mortgage servicer gives a reinstatement quote valid for 30 days, upload that. If your county tax bill shows penalties and interest, upload the full statement. Precision makes you faster to approve.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application (The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle)

This is a tough program in the sense that it’s document-heavy and state-run, which can mean portals, queues, and case managers juggling a lot. But it’s absolutely worth the effort. These tactics can save you weeks.

1) Tell the hardship story like you’re building a timeline for a judge

Not because you’re in trouble—because clarity wins. Many portals ask for a written explanation. Don’t write a novel. Write a timeline: what changed, when it changed, how it changed your income/expenses, and how that led to missed housing payments.

Example: “Reduced hours began March 2021; I returned to full-time in November 2022 but depleted savings and medical bills caused ongoing shortfalls; fell behind on mortgage in May 2023.” That’s the logic the reviewer needs.

2) Treat documents like evidence, not “uploads”

Case managers aren’t mind readers, and portals aren’t detectives. Label files clearly (“MortgageStatement_Jan2026.pdf,” “TaxBill_2024_Delinquent.pdf”). Upload readable PDFs, not blurry photos taken in a moving vehicle. If the portal allows notes, explain what each document proves.

3) Ask your servicer for the right document: reinstatement/payoff quote

A monthly mortgage statement is helpful, but a reinstatement quote is often the golden ticket because it lists the exact amount needed to cure the default (and the deadline date for that number). Request it early. Servicers can take time.

4) If foreclosure is looming, say so—and prove it

Many states have hardship-based exceptions or priority processing when foreclosure is imminent. Upload the notice of default, sale date letter, or court filing. This is not the time for pride. It’s the time for paperwork.

5) Don’t ignore “duplication of benefits” rules—explain them

If you received other pandemic housing help, you’re not automatically disqualified. But you may need to show that previous assistance is used up or didn’t cover the full need. A short, factual explanation plus statements showing remaining balances can keep your file from stalling.

6) Respond fast, even if the request is annoying

If your case manager asks for an updated statement, they’re not trying to ruin your day; they’re trying to approve you without getting audited later. Many programs have response windows. Turn documents around in 24–72 hours if you can.

7) Build a “stability plan” and mention it

Programs like to see you won’t be back in the same spot in six months. If you’ve applied for a property tax exemption, negotiated a modification, started automatic payments, or met with a HUD-approved housing counselor, say that. It signals momentum and credibility.

Application Timeline (Working Backward From Funds Exhausted)

Because HAF deadlines vary and many programs run until money is gone, your timeline should be built around speed and completeness, not perfection.

In Week 1, locate your state program portal, complete any pre-screening questionnaire, and create your account. If your state assigns “application queue” positions, applying sooner can matter. Use this week to request key documents: reinstatement quote from your mortgage servicer, delinquent tax statement from your county, HOA ledger, and utility arrears bill.

In Week 2, assemble your income verification (pay stubs, benefits letters, tax returns, or profit-and-loss statements if self-employed). Draft your hardship timeline and gather proof: termination letters, reduced-hours notices, medical bills, childcare invoices, or business revenue summaries. Your goal is a complete application that doesn’t trigger repeated follow-ups.

In Weeks 3–6, expect back-and-forth. Many applicants lose time here by missing emails or letting calls go to voicemail. Set alerts. Check spam folders. Answer unknown numbers if you can. If your state program is swamped, it may take longer—but your responsiveness is one of the few things you control.

Required Materials (What You’ll Likely Need and How to Prep)

States vary, but most HAF applications ask for a similar stack of documents. You don’t need to gather every possible paper before you start, but you should know what’s coming.

Common requirements include: a government-issued photo ID; proof you own the home (deed, mortgage statement, property tax record, or closing documents depending on the program); proof you live there (often satisfied by the same documents, or a utility bill); proof of household income (pay stubs, award letters, tax returns, or self-employment documentation); and proof of the amounts owed (mortgage statement and/or reinstatement quote, delinquency notices, tax bills, HOA statements, and utility bills).

Preparation advice that saves headaches: keep everything in one folder, scan in black-and-white at a readable resolution, and make sure names and addresses match across documents. If your name changed, upload the legal proof. If you have multiple borrowers on the mortgage, confirm whether both must sign the application.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (How Reviews Really Work)

Most HAF reviewers are looking for three things: eligibility, documentation, and urgency.

Eligibility is the baseline: you meet hardship, ownership/occupancy, and income requirements. Documentation is the difference between an approval and a purgatory email that says “your application is incomplete.” The strongest applications don’t just claim numbers—they show statements that match those numbers and are current.

Urgency matters because programs often triage. If you’re at immediate risk of foreclosure, have a shutoff notice, or face a tax sale, you want that clearly documented in the file so the program can prioritize appropriately under its rules.

Also, clarity counts. If your application reads like a junk drawer—ten files named “IMG_3928”—you’re making it harder for a case manager to say yes quickly. Make it easy to approve you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

Mistake 1: Waiting for a “real deadline”

Many state programs operate until funds are exhausted. That’s a deadline—you just don’t get a calendar invite. Apply as soon as you suspect you qualify, even if you’re still gathering a few documents.

Mistake 2: Uploading outdated statements

A mortgage statement from three months ago can trigger a request for an updated one, which restarts the clock. Use the newest documents possible, especially for reinstatement quotes that expire.

Mistake 3: Writing a hardship explanation that doesn’t connect the dots

“I had hardship due to COVID” is not enough. Tie it to dates, income changes, expenses, and the moment you fell behind. If your hardship is indirect (like caregiving or long COVID), spell it out plainly.

Mistake 4: Ignoring communication from the program

People miss one email and lose weeks. Check your portal messages. Add the program email domain to your safe sender list. If you get a call-back request, respond the same day.

Mistake 5: Confusion about where the money goes

HAF money often goes directly to providers. Don’t plan on receiving cash to “handle it yourself.” Instead, follow up with your servicer/tax office after disbursement to confirm they applied it correctly.

Mistake 6: Assuming denial is final

Many programs offer an appeal process. If denied, request the reason in writing, then submit additional documentation or corrections within the allowed window.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is the Homeowner Assistance Fund a loan or a grant?

It’s generally assistance that does not have to be repaid, but terms vary. Some states require a forgivable junior lien or agreement—often forgiven after a set period (commonly three to five years) if you stay in the home and meet conditions.

2) Can HAF help if I am behind on property taxes but current on my mortgage?

In many states, yes. Property tax delinquency can be just as dangerous as mortgage delinquency, and many programs include tax assistance as an eligible category.

3) What if my hardship happened years after 2020?

You typically must show hardship after Jan 21, 2020, and many states accept pandemic ripple effects. Your job is to connect the timeline credibly with documents.

4) I had mortgage forbearance. Does that disqualify me?

Not automatically. But you may need to show what remains owed and how previous relief did not cover the full need. Programs try to prevent “duplication of benefits,” not punish people for using available help.

5) Will HAF stop foreclosure immediately?

Some programs coordinate with servicers and courts to pause action while an application is pending, but it’s not universal. If you have an active foreclosure, contact your servicer and consider legal aid while you apply. Don’t assume the application alone freezes everything.

6) Can I apply if I have a nontraditional mortgage or land contract?

Sometimes. States differ. These cases often require extra documentation to prove ownership interest and payment obligations. Start the pre-screen and be ready for follow-up requests.

7) How long does approval take?

It varies wildly by state capacity and application volume. A clean, complete application with fast responses can move much quicker than a file that needs repeated document requests.

8) What if the Treasury page is outdated or looks wrong?

That can happen during site outages or maintenance. Use Treasury’s page to locate the program concept, but verify and apply through your state housing agency or official state HAF portal. If something looks suspicious, trust your instincts and confirm via official state government domains.

How to Apply (Next Steps That Get You Into the Yes Pile)

Start by finding your state (or territory/Tribal) Homeowner Assistance Fund program and completing any pre-screening questionnaire. That step usually tells you the income limits, eligible home types, and what categories (mortgage, taxes, utilities, HOA) your state will cover. It also gets you into the system—important when programs are running on limited remaining funds.

Then, request a mortgage reinstatement quote from your servicer (if applicable) and pull the most recent delinquency statements for taxes, HOA, and utilities. While those are processing, assemble your income documents and write your hardship timeline in a simple, date-driven way. Submit the application even if you’re missing one item, if your state allows it—then immediately upload additions as soon as you receive them.

Finally, once submitted, treat the portal like a living thing: check messages, respond quickly, and keep copies of everything. When funds are paid, confirm with your servicer or provider that payments posted correctly and request written confirmation.

Apply Now and Verify Your State Program

Ready to apply? Visit the official U.S. Department of the Treasury page for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (note: site content may be intermittently updated, so verify your state portal from there and through your state housing agency):

Official page: https://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/erap/haf

If that page doesn’t show the HAF program details clearly right now, don’t stop there—go directly to your state housing agency website and search “Homeowner Assistance Fund” or “HAF” to locate the active application portal and current funding status.