Matzie: New mortgage assistance program can help homeowners hurt by pandemic

Rep. Robert Matzie    February 3, 2022 | 11:13 AM

AMBRIDGE, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is urging homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments to see if they qualify for assistance under a new state program.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which opened for applications this week, is designed to help homeowners facing unforeseen financial hardships because of the pandemic.

“Housing expenses take the largest bite out of a family’s budget, and for many homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic, meeting a monthly mortgage payment may be much more difficult than it used to be,” Matzie said. “I urge anyone who is struggling with those payments to see if they qualify for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which can help prevent delinquency, default or foreclosure.”

Matzie said to that to qualify, a homeowner must:
 

  • own and occupy the Pennsylvania property as their primary home.
  • have experienced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before that date and continued afterward).
  • have a household income equal to or less than 150% of area median income ($89,050 for a family of one, $101,800 for a family of two, and $127,200 for a family of four).
  • have a first mortgage that is a conforming loan and meets the federal limits for the year in which it was taken.
  • not be receiving the same mortgage assistance from another federal, state, local, nonprofit, or tribal source.

Homeowners can find additional information about the program by visiting www.pahaf.org.