Help for MN homeowners facing foreclosure is extended

Bill Salisbury, Pioneer Press
·1 min read

Minnesota homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic now have more time to apply for government financial aid, state Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho announced Tuesday.

The state HomeHelpMN program that has been helping residents with housing-related expenses since May was scheduled to expire Wednesday, but Ho said it is being extended and increased because recent trends show foreclosure and eviction rates are rising for those affected by the infectious disease.

In addition to lifting the application deadline, the agency has increased the assistance cap from $35,000 to $50,000 and will now accept past-due expenses incurred before Jan. 21, 2020.

So far, 4,688 families have applied for assistance with an average request for $11,000. Ho estimated up to 25,000 income-eligible homeowners may need help but have not yet applied.

The program is funded with federal emergency grants that Congress approved last year. Minnesota has received $128 million for the program, and Ho said it will continue accepting applications while funds remain available.

Minnesotans can apply at HomeHelpMN.org or by calling 1-800-388-3226.

RentHelpMN, the state’s financial aid program for renters, ended last spring. The housing agency received 101,680 applications and paid $449 million in assistance before that program closed.

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