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In early 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. This law created a Homeowner Assistance Fund, a federal program, to give $10 billion to the states to help households that are behind on their mortgages and other housing expenses due to COVID-19. Eligible homeowners in Georgia who've experienced a financial hardship because of COVID-19 can get some of the approximately $354 million allocated to the state—up to $50,000 per household—by applying to the Georgia Mortgage Assistance program. This program uses federal money to help homeowners make mortgage payments and pay other home-related costs.
The Georgia Mortgage Assistance program offers the following kinds of assistance to eligible homeowners.
Facing Foreclosure in Georgia?
Even if a foreclosure has started, you might still have time to get assistance from the Georgia Mortgage Assistance program. Notify your loan servicer that you've applied to the program. However, you should know that applying for assistance probably won't stop a foreclosure. When you apply, notify the program administrator about the foreclosure and provide a copy of the document showing that a foreclosure sale has been scheduled for your home so your application can be fast-tracked.
You might also have time to work out an alternative to foreclosure with your loan servicer. And if you have questions about the foreclosure process in Georgia or want to learn about potential defenses to a foreclosure, consider talking to a foreclosure lawyer.
To qualify for relief from this program, you must have suffered a financial hardship (a material reduction in income or an increase in living expenses) after January 21, 2020, because of COVID-19. But if your financial hardship was cured with another grant or form of assistance, you're not eligible.
In addition, you have to meet some other guidelines:
To find out if you're potentially eligible, take this prescreening quiz.
Check for Updates
Homeowner assistance programs and requirements change often, and not all lenders and servicers participate. Be sure to check the official Georgia Mortgage Assistance website for the most recent information and eligibility requirements.
Go to the Georgia Mortgage Assistance website to apply for help from this program. You'll have to provide some documentation with your application, like mortgage statements or statements for your other housing-related costs, proof of income (such as pay stubs and tax returns), and a government-issued ID (like a driver's license).
You can get a complete list of the documents you'll need on the Georgia Mortgage Assistance website.
The program will continue until the earlier of September 30, 2026, or when all of the funds allotted to the program have been exhausted. If you think you might qualify, it's best to apply as soon as possible.
If you get an unsolicited offer by phone, in the U.S. mail, through email, or by text message offering mortgage relief or foreclosure rescue services, be wary. Scammers sometimes target homeowners having trouble with their housing payments.
The Georgia Mortgage Assistance program is free. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to get housing counseling or to receive foreclosure prevention services from this program, it's a scam. Be sure to report any instances of fraud.
If you have questions or need help with your application, call 770-806-2100, 877-519-4443, email HAF@dca.ga.gov, or review the Georgia Mortgage Assistance program FAQs.
Also, consider contacting a HUD-approved housing counselor who will assist you at no cost. To find a counselor near you, go to HUD's website or call 800-569-4287.