ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Starting Monday, January 3, those who have struggled to pay their mortgage because of the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for money to put towards their back payments.
Under the federal American Recovery Act, New York State has received $539 million to help those who are at risk of foreclosure or displacement to stay in their homes. Local organizations such as the Affordable Housing Partnership are now helping Capital Region residents apply for this money.
“What we are finding families are facing is that they either lost their job — they were in food service — everything closed down. Or perhaps they were receiving child support and the father of their kids lost income, and they can’t pay,” said Susan Cotner, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Partnership in Albany.
To help relieve some of this financial pressure, applications are now being accepted for the Homeowner Assistance Fund. This can be done both online and over the phone.
“Generally, under the federal rules for the program, the goal is to get to folks who are behind on some type of housing payment. Whether it’s mortgage, co-op payments, property taxes, the goal is to try to get to those folks and try to get them help in becoming current on their housing payment,” explained Dina Levy, of the New York State Homes and Renewal.