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The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

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<strong>The</strong> Federal government provides free resources to get you the help you need.<br />

Homeowners can call the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotl<strong>in</strong>e at 1-888-995-HOPE<br />

(4673) for <strong>in</strong>formation about the Mak<strong>in</strong>g Home Affordable Program and to speak<br />

with a HUD approved hous<strong>in</strong>g counselor. Assistance is available <strong>in</strong> English and<br />

Spanish, and other languages by appo<strong>in</strong>tment.<br />

HUD.org is another free website where you may go to f<strong>in</strong>d a local counselor <strong>in</strong><br />

your region. HUD.gov<br />

Mak<strong>in</strong>gHomeAffordable.gov also has many resources for you to check onl<strong>in</strong>e. It<br />

allows you to compute estimated payments as well as has other resources.<br />

Mak<strong>in</strong>g Home Affordable<br />

Fannie Mae has a tool available where you can check to see if your loan is<br />

owned by Fannie Mae and thus potentially eligible for the program Fannie Mae<br />

Loan Look Up<br />

Freddie Mac has a tool available where you can check to see if your loan is<br />

owned by Freddie Mac and thus potentially eligible for the program Freddie Mac<br />

Loan Look Up<br />

Hardest Hit Funds<br />

<strong>The</strong> hous<strong>in</strong>g crisis that began <strong>in</strong> 2007 led to unprecedented home price decl<strong>in</strong>es and<br />

susta<strong>in</strong>ed and higher unemployment <strong>in</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> parts <strong>of</strong> the country. Families <strong>in</strong> these<br />

areas have been particularly hard hit by this crisis as they have struggled to make their<br />

monthly mortgage payments and grappled with deeply underwater mortgages.<br />

First announced <strong>in</strong> February 2010, the Hardest Hit Fund provides $7.6 billion to the 18<br />

hardest hit states, plus the District <strong>of</strong> Columbia, to develop locally-tailored programs to<br />

assist struggl<strong>in</strong>g homeowners <strong>in</strong> their communities.<br />

HHF programs are designed and adm<strong>in</strong>istered by each state’s Hous<strong>in</strong>g F<strong>in</strong>ance Agency<br />

(HFA). Most <strong>of</strong> these programs are aimed at help<strong>in</strong>g unemployed homeowners rema<strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong> their homes while they search for new employment and those who owe more on their<br />

mortgage than their home is worth. State HFAs have until the end <strong>of</strong> 2017 to utilize<br />

funds allocated under HHF.<br />

Loan Modifications<br />

Those struggl<strong>in</strong>g with mortgage payments are able to request modifications from the<br />

mortgage providers. While requirements will vary depend<strong>in</strong>g on who the mortgage<br />

providers are, some criteria are common. Applicants request<strong>in</strong>g modifications must be:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

experienc<strong>in</strong>g a documented f<strong>in</strong>ancial hardship. This can <strong>in</strong>clude be<strong>in</strong>g laid <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

miss<strong>in</strong>g several payments already.<br />

the owner <strong>of</strong> the residence, and the mortgage must be for a primary residence.<br />

still f<strong>in</strong>ancial secure, so as not to have filed for bankruptcy yet.<br />

Page 252 <strong>of</strong> 289

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