Pennsylvania’s Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)

(LoanSafe.org) – Behind on your mortgage? Don’t lose your home to foreclosure. Pennsylvania’s Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) could help you prevent foreclosure.

You qualify for HEMAP if you meet the following guidelines:

1.    Your default was caused by financial hardship due to circumstances beyond your control.
2.    You have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within 24 months (36 months in times of high unemployment).
3.    You have received an “Act 91 Notice” from your lender advising you that your mortgage is in default.
4.    You had a good mortgage payment history before your current default, or a prior default was due to circumstances beyond your control.
5.    You are not more than 24 months behind in your payments (36 months in times of high unemployment).
6.    You are at least two months behind on your mortgage payments.
7.    Your home is located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and must be owner occupied.
8.    You own the house and your name is on the mortgage. (There can be more than one owner or borrower.)
9.    The property is used primary for residential purposes; properties used primarily for commercial purposes or mortgage loans used for business purposes are not eligible.
10.    The house is a single-family house or has no more than two living units.
11.    You are not more than $60,000 delinquent on the mortgage, including interest, principle, and fees. A HEMAP loan cannot exceed $60,000.00.

You must apply for HEMAP through a state-approved non-profit housing counselor. If you meet with a counselor within 33 days of the date an Act 91 notice was mailed to you, the mortgage holder will be temporarily prohibited from starting a foreclosure case against you. If you filed an application for a HEMAP mortgage assistance loan, there is a further temporary prohibition. If your application is granted, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) will loan you money to bring your mortgage up-to-date.

For more information on the HEMAP program call the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency: 717.780.3800.