08/05/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/05/2022 15:22
~ Weekly Update for the Homeowner Assistance Fund,
Week of August 1 - August 5 ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida continues to lead the nation in its effective administration of the Florida Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), awarding more than $277 million in total relief to more than 9,900 homeowners, with more than $31 million awarded this week alone, to some of Florida's most vulnerable homeowners. Through the effective administration of its HAF program, Florida has been able to stop active foreclosures for approved homeowners, keeping Florida families in their homes.
"The data shows that no state is administering HAF better than Florida. If it weren't for our quick action to stand up and administer Florida's HAF program, many Floridians would have lost their homes this summer," said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Secretary Dane Eagle. "We're not slowing down now. The DEO team remains committed to keeping Floridians in their homes, and we will continue expediting relief to the state's most vulnerable homeowners, based on federal guidance, until funding is exhausted."
Based on the funds allocated to Florida and our tremendous outreach to Floridians, the HAF program has already received more Tier 1 applications than funding allocated to Florida. While this is great news that we will spend all the available funds and maximize the number of Floridians served, this means we may not be able to serve every applicant. We encourage homeowners who have been invited to apply to complete and submit their application as soon as possible so that they may be eligible for an award before funding for the HAF program is exhausted.
For Florida homeowners with unmet needs, other resources are available to assist eligible individuals with utility bills and other homeowner expenses through the Community Services Block Grant, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.
RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS
For homeowners needing assistance in completing their applications, the Homeowner Assistance Fund Customer Assistance Center (833-987-8997) is available Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Time), for all inquiries and questions.
Additional resources are available at www.FLHomeownerAssistance.org.
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER LOCATIONS
Florida homeowners needing assistance in completing their applications can continue to receive help through the Florida HAF program at one of the eight in-person Customer Assistance Centers. At a Customer Assistance Center, homeowners may:
PROGRAM UPDATES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 5
Applications
Registrations
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: GETTING THE WORD OUT
DEO continues to connect with homeowners in Florida communities through through the following outreach efforts:
The network of Florida Urban League Affiliates, providing services in 19 counties across the State of Florida, representing two-thirds of the state's population.
PREVIOUS PROGRAM UPDATES
ABOUT HAF
Florida's Homeowner Assistance Fund is designed to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing homeowners' mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as by providing assistance with home energy services, internet, property and/or flood insurance, property taxes, and homeowner or condominium association fees. Eligible Florida homeowners may receive up to $50,000 in assistance.
ABOUT DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state's economic, workforce, and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.
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