Help From Your State

Some states are even offering cash loans to help families get back on their feet. Even if you don't live in an area that does this yet, be encouraged and keep your eyes open - as a program could be opening up soon!

Live in Pennsylvania? Get 24 months of your mortgage or $60,000 loan!
Many are saying it's great to live in Pennsylvania! This wonderful state has a forward-thinking program to help keep people from foreclosure. HEMAP (link: http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/hemap.aspx) is the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. This program was created by Act 91 in 1983. It is the only one of its type in the U.S.A., but hopefully other government officials will be inspired by its success. HEMAP helps people who through no fault of their own are unable to make their mortgage payments. Pennsylvania residents are eligible for help for up to 24 months or for a maximum of $60,000 loan. What a great way to help families in Pennsylvania! Contact: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency 211 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101-1406; 800-342-2397
Application: www.phfa.org/about/contact/telephonedirectory.aspx
Income: $10,000 - $1,000,000

Seattle residents can get $5,000 loan to pay their mortgage
In January 2008, the mayor of Seattle Greg Nickels started a new initiative to help Seattle families. Low-income families that are facing foreclosure can be eligible for a $5,000 loan. Seattle has $200,000 set aside for these special loans. The loan is combined with mortgage counseling from two local agencies: Urban League (www.urbanleague.org) and Solid Ground Mortgage Hotline: http://www.solid-ground.org/Pages/Default.aspx; 206-461-3200.

Massachusetts Will Help You Refinance
MassHousing helps low to moderate income Massachusetts residents purchase homes at below market lending rates. They have begun a Home Saver Foreclosure Prevention Program which helps borrowers who are unable to repay their mortgage. You cannot be in foreclosure or more than 30 days delinquent to use this program, and you must be employed. The first step is to contact the Homeowerneship Preservation Foundation at 888-995-HOPE and tell them your story. They will refer you to a local counseling agency which is mandatory for this program. Once you have completed counseling, you will be provided with a list of lenders who will help you refinance your loan. Contact: MassHousing, One Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108; 617-854-1000; 888-995-HOPE; www.masshousing.com and www.995hope.org
Application: www.masshousing.com
Income: $10,000 - 1,000,000

North Carolina Offers Help
Those who are facing foreclosure can contact the HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE, who will provide counseling and review their situation. The state has a program that provides $300,000 in seed money to reimburse counselors who are able to help prevent unnecessary foreclosures for North Carolinians who call the hotline, with more reimbursement going to counselors who are able to help homeowners keep their homes. Contact: North Carolina Foreclosure Help, NC Commissioner of Banks, 316 W. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27603; 888-995-HOPE; www.ncforeclosurehelp.org
Application: www.ncforeclosurehelp.org
Income: $10,000 - 1,000,000

Help For Ohio Residents
The Ohio NeighborWorks Foreclosure Prevention Initiative offers a variety of programs to help residents facing foreclosure. Contact the HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE and they will do the initial assessment and refer you to counselors in your area who can help. They offer the Ohio Home Rescue Fund which is a loan of up to $5,000 to help you get your mortgage back on track, but you must agree to mortgage counseling and have the ability to maintain the home. The Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program provides everything from budgeting advice to refinance counseling to help homeowners keep their homes. Cuyahoga County residents can call 211 or visit www.dontborrowtroublecc.org for more information.

In addition the Ohio Housing Finance Agency provides an Opportunity Loan Refinance Program for those who have adjustable rate mortgage so they can refinance to a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. You also may be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses for an appraisal, credit report, or other costs. There are income limits which vary county to county in Ohio, but can go as high as $80,750. To learn more call the Ohio Housing Finance Agency at 888-362-6432 or online at www.ohiohome.org
Contact: Ohio Housing Finance Agency, 57 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43215; 614-466-7970; 888-362-6432; www.ohiohome.org
Application: www.ohiohome.org
Income: $10,000 - 1,000,000

Maryland Residents Can Get Help
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers several different programs to help those who are in danger of losing their homes. The Lifeline Refinance Mortgage Program provides a refinancing option to Marylanders who may be facing difficulties after financing their homes with adjustable rate or other unfavorable mortgages, or with mortgages that no longer fit their financial situation. In addition there is a Bridge to HOPE Loan Program that provides short-term relief to maintain homeownership. Borrowers can receive a loan of up to $15,000 to pay delinquent mortgage payments, taxes, and other arrearages. This is a deferred loan that is repayable at the time the house is sold or transferred. For this program you must be referred by a housing counseling agency who will develop an action plan with you. There are income requirements for both programs that vary county to county, but can go as high as $132,300. Contact: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21033; 877-462-7555; www.mdhope.org
Application: www.mdhope.org
Income: $10,000 - 1,000,000