Emergency Homeowners loan program EHLP

[enoughchase]

Has anyone received an approval letter for EHLP in the last month? My family did, but we haven't heard another word on it. It was an official letter from HUD outlining how much we qualified for. When I ask the agency that helped us apply for EHLP, they say they haven't heard much and don't know much either about what is going on. Frustrating. Wondering if anyone else is in this situation or had success?

[Cat Damiano]

HI enoughchase,


Welcome to the forum and thank you for joining.............

If you have not already done so, you may want to contact either Neighbor Works directly or HUD directly from the following contacts to check on the EHLP program.

EHLPmainPage

[enoughchase]

Yes I have....seems they have no answers. All I have been told is they have up the date to mid Nov for payouts. They never give a yes, you are all set answer or where they are with the paperwork. Frustrating when could lose your home...

[Grimmhope]

I to have applied for assistance under EHLP and have yet to receive a reply one way or the other and am currently facing foreclosure.

[enoughchase]

The agency that I went through said many clients haven't heard one way or another. As I said we received a approval letter, but since haven't heard anything. I wonder if anyone has been approved and received help?? So frustrating!!

[Grimmhope]

I contacted the agency that submitted my paperwork yesterday and was gien an e-mail address to inquire as to the status of my application, ehlpinquiry@homeownership.org, still waiting on a reply.

[enoughchase]

Thank you, I will give it a try too.

[Handyman]

I also got a "approval and commitment" letter dated 9/29/2011 and cant get any more info.

[Grimmhope]

I called the HUD phonenumber on Monday and told me to contact the agency which submitted my paperwork to check the status. I contacted them and they couldn't understand why HUD was telling me to contact them, since they got their info from HUD, Bottom line, I still don't know the status of my application other than it has been submitted!

[Cat Damiano]

Grimmhope,


For an FHA loan you can also try the FHA Outreach Center;

FHA Outreach Center
1-800-CALL FHA (800-225-5342)

[deelooney]

I received an approval letter dated 9/27/11 and have not received anything else. I called the local agency and they said HUD will contact me and that they would not here anything. I tried calling HUD and was told they will eveything out by the end of the month. She also said that once the approval letter comes, the next step would be a notary calling to set up to meet to sign and notarize the loan documents and from there it moves quickly. The letter does say someting about it expires after 60 days from the date of the letter - well 60 days is 11/25/11 on.y 13 days away - which means, if I get approved, I need to hope their notary calls asap and get to the post office all before the deadline.

[enoughchase]

Deelooney, My letter also says it expires 60 days from the date of the letter-mine is 09/29/11. I talked through email with someone at EHLP@nw.org and when I asked if they were communicating with my mortgage company, this was the reply:

HUD and the Fiscal Agent are in the process of reviewing your application. Upon the conclusion of their review, they will notify you of your approval for a loan or otherwise, no later than the middle of November.
For any additional questions, please communicate with the counseling agency that received your EHLP documents and submitted your application.

Also...
HUD and the Fiscal Agent are working with loan servicers during this verification period to make sure that they understand EHLP assistance. However, the quickest way to inform them is for you to also supply them with a copy of your commitment letter. This way they can ensure that this information is in your file more quickly.

Seems to me the clock is ticking....

[Grimmhope]

At least you all have received a response. I'm still waiting to get something, one way or the other. Package was submitted 10/13/11.

[enoughchase]

It didn't come certified, maybe it didn't find it's way to you? I would keep calling and emailing anyone that has anything to do with EHLP. When I emailed EHLP@nw.org, it took a few days to get back to me...but they did. The agency I used does get updates, and sent me a copy of what they have. I would think your agency would have something....

[deelooney]

I emailed the address that enoughchase had in his post (thanks). I asked about not hearing anything since the 9/27th letter, I also asked abut the deadline of 60 days. I received an updated response stating almost the same as enoughchase posted but they did NOT put in the part about "hearing no later than the middle of November" but they did write the following:
"I realize that there were dates/time frames listed on the commitment letters, but the process is taking HUD longer than anticipated and they have extended the deadlines. They are processing the information as quickly as possible. You will receive a letter from HUD soon to let you know of your final elgibiilty determiniation. If anyone hears anything more or receives anything, please keep us posted. Have a great day and good luck to all.

[EHLPAPPLICANT]

The EHLP program has been poorly administered by HUD from the start. My application, as well as many others apparently, was submitted through Neighborhood Works (CounselorMax system) that interfaces with HUD's (HopeLoanPort system). Although it was submitted on time, HUD's fiscal agent never received it. Because of this, there have been many meetings at HUD with people involved in this program and HUD's legal counsel and the Office of the Inspector General. They need to make sure everything is compliant with statutory requirements, etc. before they can approve loans affected. Last I heard, they were going to issue a commitment letter, but I am not counting on anything at this point.

The point person at HUD is Joel Ibanez (202-708-0317 ext. 4378). The Program Director is Todd Richardson (202-708-1537 Ext. 5706). I suggest you keep calling them until things are resolved. I call them almost every day and if I don't hear back, I call them every hour until I hear back. If you don't hear back from them, call Carol Galante (Assistant Secretary) at 202-708-2601 Ext. 2400 and even Shaun Donovan's office (Secretary and Head Person) of HUD at 202-708-0417. If you call Carol Galante and Shaun Donovan, you will likely get their secretary, but keep calling. They are all public employees paid for by your tax dollars, and we deserve answers and more efficiency in our government than this. Good luck. I know they are working on it, but it is too easy for things to slide to the back burner. In the meantime, banks are foreclosing and trying to take our homes away.

[enoughchase]

Great information. Thanks!

[Grimmhope]

The EHLP program has been poorly administered by HUD from the start. My application, as well as many others apparently, was submitted through Neighborhood Works (CounselorMax system) that interfaces with HUD's (HopeLoanPort system). Although it was submitted on time, HUD's fiscal agent never received it. Because of this, there have been many meetings at HUD with people involved in this program and HUD's legal counsel and the Office of the Inspector General. They need to make sure everything is compliant with statutory requirements, etc. before they can approve loans affected. Last I heard, they were going to issue a commitment letter, but I am not counting on anything at this point.

The point person at HUD is Joel Ibanez (202-708-0317 ext. 4378). The Program Director is Todd Richardson (202-708-1537 Ext. 5706). I suggest you keep calling them until things are resolved. I call them almost every day and if I don't hear back, I call them every hour until I hear back. If you don't hear back from them, call Carol Galante (Assistant Secretary) at 202-708-2601 Ext. 2400 and even Shaun Donovan's office (Secretary and Head Person) of HUD at 202-708-0417. If you call Carol Galante and Shaun Donovan, you will likely get their secretary, but keep calling. They are all public employees paid for by your tax dollars, and we deserve answers and more efficiency in our government than this. Good luck. I know they are working on it, but it is too easy for things to slide to the back burner. In the meantime, banks are foreclosing and trying to take our homes away.

EHLPAPPLICANT, how did you know/find out that your app was not received? My app was submitted through Springboard in Calif. i keep calling them and they don't know.

[EHLPAPPLICANT]

I was quite persistent and kept calling different offices until I got through to the right people. I would also call your Senator and your state office for HUD. Also, you could start calling the Treasury or the Financial Oversight office. It is amazing how the big banks can get the bailouts but we can't even get answers. The more voices they hear from, the better.

[deelooney]

I heard that there are a few files from NY that had a system error and wouldn't you know it - mine is one of them.
No answer on what they will do. My commitment letter expires in 2 days....... Has anyone heard anything?

[EHLPAPPLICANT]

I was told they were going to be working over the holiday weekend to get the commitment letters out and hope to get the loans done by mid-December. I will believe it when I see it.

[deelooney]

Thanks for the info EHLPAPPLICANT. Are you also from NY. I am fron the Hudson Valley. HUD was not sure what these files from NY had in common. WHen I call my mortgage company the phone clerk can only tell me that she sees a note that "its waiting for underwriting from the state". Have a great Thanksgiving - hopefully we will all hear good news real soon.

[EHLPAPPLICANT]

I am Maine but was aware that NY and Maine both had similar issues. The following audit report done by the Office of the Inspector General sheds some light on what occurred--basically, it seems to boil down to the fact that HUD's information systems are outdated and not programmed in a way to handle programs such as this. Thus, it has created a lot of manual work for them. Although it may not seem like we are getting answers, I expect they are really swamped. The following link is a link to the audit.

http://www.hudoig.gov/pdf/Internal/2012/ig12f0003.pdf

Page 3, 69, and especially Appendix E (HUD's Memo) really helps explain the situation. I have too much at stake so have been staying on top of this pretty closely and will continue to do so. If I hear anything new, I will post it. I am just glad it is being worked on and HUD is putting the effort they are into it. Believe me, I would much rather be working than dealing with this.

Now, if we could just get those in Congress to agree on something that is in the best interest of the average everyday working and unemployed but "wanna be" working American, that would be nice. It is nice to see the media such as "60 Minutes" starting to expose what is really going on in Washington such as the "insider trading"!! Good luck.

[deelooney]

I called again today and was told my loan was NOT part of the system error like I was told yesterday. My loan was one of approximately 4400 that received approval commitment letters and will expire very soon. I was told that they will be sending out letters on Friday and Monday to extend the commitment letter. So now I sit and wait.
-Dee

[Handyman]

Thanks everyone for the updates, I have not been able to get ahold of anyone who knows anything here in Minnesota.

[deelooney]

I received word today that HUD will be sending out letters to applicants whose commitment letters have or will be expiring. The letter will extend the date for another 60 days.

[enoughchase]

Only new information that I have received in the last week is that there has been more activity on the "message board' as of lately. I believe this is how my agency communicates with the EHLP people. I was also told the last time my file was update by EHLP was 10/13/11...a passed title search was documented. GRR!

[Handyman]

Well I got a call today from the company that submitted my documents. They said that HUD was reviewing my documents, and they need some clarification on a few things. I guess at least I know they are maybe doing something.

[deelooney]

I called HUD today and was told that all files should be completed by end of December and letters to applicants should be received the latest by the first week of January. I was told some files have cleared and will be receving letters this week, of course, mine was not one of them. My file is still listed as "in review". When I called my mortgage company today, they show a note from 10/13/11 saying "pending approval from state". The person I spoke with from HUD today told me that the steps that have to take are: checking flood insurance, checking title and verifying reinstatment.
He told me that HUD has completed most of the title and flood steps. I am a bundle of nerves with this waiting. I received a letter today offering to help me with a deed in lieu. My mortgage co said they did not send it. I want to keep my home and hopefully get the ehlp loan soon before my nerves fail me. Anyone hear anything else.

[enoughchase]

Got my letter extending our commmitment letter today.....

[enoughchase]

Oops ...pushed post before I was done. It extended the commitment by about 30 days.....Jan 30th. It says final verifications to be completed in early January. Has an email address for questions: answers@HUD.gov Says to add case # to email. Also a phone number 1800/225/5342.

[deelooney]

got my extension letter today. I called yesterday and was told they are checking third party authorizations. I am trying to catch up on old bills so if I am approved I am ready to go and on track. Can we pay our lender during this process? I was going to do a partial payment but afraid it will get lost or slow things down.

[deelooney]

Does anyone have any news to share?

[EHLPAPPLICANT]

It looks like everything cleared on my application until the fiscal agent spoke with the lender who told them I was only 60 days behind on my mortgage--not 90--as of June 1, 2011. I find it interesting though that all credit reports are reporting it as 90 days late in June and 120 days late in July and my file was also sent to their attorney to proceed with foreclosure back in June. I think they just want my house because I have a decent amount of equity. I am just so disgusted with everything, it is not funny. I used to take pride in home ownership, and now I am at the point that I think living in a tent or on a boat would be much more enjoyable. There is way too much greed in the financial industry. Interesting, but I told my husband back in June when we applied that the bank or at least a certain individual in the bank would try and sabotage it somehow.

I wish you all luck, and I am not going to stop fighting. Ultimately, it might just be easier to file bankruptcy. If we could just take care of the back payments, we could meet our monthly obligations going forward. I am just beaten down and have aged about 10 years. A structure is not that important to me anymore, but you can be assured I will remove everything (many improvements) that were not financed by the bank. Is it that difficult for these mortgage companies to just work with people. It would be best for everyone and the economy in the end.

[deelooney]

Hi EHAPPLICANT,
This is soooo stressful. Did you get a denial letter and then had to clarify by an appeal. If not, how did you catch this prior to a denial letter. No one at HUD or my counseling ageny can tell me anything other than "it is in review" and you will hear no later than Jan. 15th. I have to pull my credit history - this is the only thing I am worried about. I had a modification the end of 2009 so, of course, I was late a few months prior to getting accepting to the Making Home Affordable Program. Seven months into that program I was laid off and now have 20,000 a year less salary. I hope that when they see the late payments that Bank of America will realize it was from a hardship. Boy, what a year. Can't wait to get thru this. I am a single parent, trying to work full-time and care for my 91 year old mom that stays with me and drive 3 hours to work everyday.... this waiting is so hard.

[Grimmhope]

Hi EHAPPLICANT,
This is soooo stressful. Did you get a denial letter and then had to clarify by an appeal. If not, how did you catch this prior to a denial letter. No one at HUD or my counseling ageny can tell me anything other than "it is in review" and you will hear no later than Jan. 15th. I have to pull my credit history - this is the only thing I am worried about. I had a modification the end of 2009 so, of course, I was late a few months prior to getting accepting to the Making Home Affordable Program. Seven months into that program I was laid off and now have 20,000 a year less salary. I hope that when they see the late payments that Bank of America will realize it was from a hardship. Boy, what a year. Can't wait to get thru this. I am a single parent, trying to work full-time and care for my 91 year old mom that stays with me and drive 3 hours to work everyday.... this waiting is so hard.

I know exactly how you feel. My EHLP app was denied and I didn't know until I had hounded the people directly and they told me to contact the agency that had submitted my application and they had been telling me all along that it was in review and had been submitted. Frustrated is not even the word. BOA could care less about the people and 'wanting to help' as they say.

I ended up filing for CH 13 today to save my house from foreclosure on Monday 12/19!!

[deelooney]

Today I received a fed ex from Bank of America, telling me that I may be eligible for a Making Home Affordable Modification But I have to send the info requested in by December 30th. And HUD has said I will receive an answer by Jan. 15th. Does anyone know if I can apply for another program while waiting? I was already in a modification that went permanent last June and then was laid off in December. I think I will send in the paperwork for the modification, wait for HUD and calling lawyer Monday for Chapter 13. I agree with Ehapplicant, I too feel like I aged 10 years. I cannot even think of putting up a tree and of course no money for anything. i will keep calling Hud and the agency on Monday to try to get an answer.

[willowchambers]

Hello All,

I just want to say that I understand everyones frustration on this thread. I have been through pretty much everything all of you are going through...filling out the application, waiting to be pick from the lottery, counciling interviews, calling the third party credit agency repeatedly trying to seek answers, being told that it still being reviewed, being in foreclosure, Having a sale date...you name it, I went through it, but I want those who are still waiting on an answer to know that they are sending out letters to let us know if we have been approved or not. Yesterday, I check my mail and found that they approved me for the loan. I then in turn called my mortgage company which is BOA (per instructed in the approval letter from HUD)and told them that I was approved and they asked me to fax them the letter showing that I was approved so that they could put a hold on my sale date until HUD disburses the monies that I currently owe. This is such awesome news. I really thought that I was going to loose my home. So I am here to tell you guys that your answers are just around the corner and they are notifying applicants. I hope all of you get an approval letter as I did. God Bless you all and I really hope everyone get to keep their homes.

[deelooney]

Congratulations. I hope I get the same news when I get home tonight.
Best of luck.

[willowchambers]

@deelooney
Thank you, and best of luck to you as well....