HomeHelpMN Deadline Extended

(KNSI) — Minnesota Housing is extending the application period for HomeHelpMN.

HomeHelpMN provides $109 million in federal assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage or other homeownership-related expenses due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application period opened on May 17th. Preliminary application statistics show through June 8th; the program has received approximately 2,800 applications. That’s only about a third of the available funding. Of the applications turned in, 8% of applicants are at imminent risk of foreclosure. According to this month’s Census Household Pulse Survey data, 24% of Minnesota adults faced the likelihood of eviction or foreclosure. That’s up from 18% earlier this spring.

Julie Gugin, president of the Minnesota Homeownership Center, says it’s not surprising to see these trends take hold as the pandemic lurches forward. “It is a waterfall effect that health crises – as we are experiencing with COVID – can have lasting impacts on people’s abilities to maintain their homes.”

She notes there are mounting healthcare costs for some people with little or no paid time off, making it harder to be financially covered if they were forced to miss work.

In Grant County, Janelle Bennett is with the West Central Minnesota Community Action office. She says they’re seeing more pre-foreclosure notices sent to individuals the office follows up with.

“The ones I have received so far have been definitely related to COVID – either losing their job or cutting back on hours and just losing that income.”

HomeHelpMN will pay up to $35,000 of past-due expenses. Payments do not need to be paid back.

Homeowners must meet eligibility requirements, including income below program limits and past-due eligible expenses. The income limits for the program vary based on the county of residence and the household size.

Applications are being accepted online and by phone at 1-800-388-3226 until August 17th. Learn more by clicking here.
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MNC Reporter Mike Moen contributed to this story.

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