Hardest Hit Fund

Responsible families across the country have found themselves unable to pay their mortgages due to unemployment or underemployment. The Hardest Hit Fund [1] offers innovative measures to help families stay in their homes or otherwise avoid foreclosure in states that have been hit hard by concentrated economic distress.

"I’ve heard my state might have some mortgage assistance programs…what help is available?"

What is the Hardest Hit Fund?

President Obama established the Hardest Hit Fund^SM in February 2010 to provide targeted aid to families in states hit hard by the economic and housing market downturn. Each state housing agency gathered public input to implement programs designed to meet the distinct challenges struggling homeowners in their state are facing.

States were chosen either because they are struggling with unemployment rates at or above the national average or steep home price declines greater than 20 percent since the housing market downturn.

What are the Benefits?

Hardest Hit Fund programs vary state to state, but may include the following:

Mortgage payment assistance for unemployed or underemployed homeowners
Reinstatement assistance to help homeowners catch up on their mortgage payments
Modification assistance funds to help homeowners pay down the principal balance of a mortgage loan and allow for a more affordable monthly payment
Funding to eliminate homeowners' second lien loans
Help for homeowners who are transitioning out of their homes and into more affordable places of residence

Next Step

Homeowners in the following states (and District of Columbia) may be eligible for assistance:

Alabama [5]
Arizona [6]
California [7]
Florida [8]
Georgia [9]
Illinois [10]
Indiana [11]

Kentucky [12]
Michigan [13]
Mississippi [14]
Nevada [15]
New Jersey [16]
North Carolina [17]

Ohio [18]
Oregon [19]
Rhode Island [20]
South Carolina [21]
Tennessee [22]
Washington DC [23]

If you are a homeowner in one of these areas, visit the state websites above or the Hardest Hit Fund website [1] provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury [1] to learn about Hardest Hit Fund opportunities in your area.

Links:
[1] http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/housing-programs/hhf/Pages/default.aspx
[2] http://knowyouroptions.com/find-resources/government-programs/hardest-hit-fund#overview
[3] http://knowyouroptions.com/find-resources/government-programs/hardest-hit-fund#benefits
[4] http://knowyouroptions.com/find-resources/government-programs/hardest-hit-fund#started
[5] http://www.hardesthitalabama.com/
[6] http://www.azhousing.gov/
[7] http://www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org/
[8] http://www.flhardesthithelp.org/
[9] http://www.homesafegeorgia.com/
[10] http://www.illinoishardesthit.org/
[11] http://www.877gethope.org/
[12] http://www.protectmykyhome.org/
[13] http://www.stepforwardmichigan.org/
[14] http://www.mshomesaver.com/
[15] http://www.nahac.org/
[16] http://www.njhomekeeper.gov/
[17] http://www.ncforeclosureprevention.gov/
[18] http://www.savethedream.ohio.gov/
[19] http://www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org/
[20] http://www.hhfri.org/
[21] http://www.scmortgagehelp.com/
[22] http://www.keepmytnhome.org/
[23] http://www.homesaverdc.org/