Homeowner Assistance Program Still Available
It's not too late to apply for the Wyoming Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program. The HAF Program has served as a lifeline for eligible homeowners, helping them weather COVID-19 impacts and secure their homes. Since its inception in May 2022, the HAF Program has assisted 1,648 Wyoming homeowners, disbursing $12.5 million
Under the program, eligible homeowners can receive a one-time grant of up to $35,000 for mortgage assistance, past-due utilities, and past-due housing-related expenses. These funds are paid directly to servicers or vendors on behalf of the qualifying homeowners.
Don't miss out on this opportunity. Apply online at dfs.wyo.gov/haf or contact the call center toll-free at 1-888-WYO-HAFP (1-888-996-4237) for application assistance. They are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Prioritization of Aid
The prioritization of aid will be as follows: mortgage reinstatement, partial claim assistance, delinquent other expenses and finally, forward mortgages.
MORTGAGE DELINQUENCY: Financial assistance to help reinstate a mortgage or to pay other housing-related costs related to a period of forbearance, delinquency, or default.
PARTIAL CLAIMS: Financial assistance to pay off a portion or all of a partial claim. Partial claim must have been received after Jan. 21, 2020, due to a COVID financial hardship. Partial claims may be a subordinate lien. The HAF Program will not cover deferral payments.
FORWARD MORTGAGE PAYMENTS: Up to three (3) consecutive months of forward mortgage payments.
PAST DUE UTILITY PAYMENTS: Electricity, energy costs (fuel, oil and propane), water and sewer. (Internet costs are not an eligible expense.)
PAST DUE HOUSING-RELATED BILLS: Property taxes, homeowners insurance, or homeowner association dues.
Understanding the Eligibility Criteria
- Must not have received a previous HAF award. This is a one-time award. Any eligible clients who received HAF payments in the past cannot apply.
- Must own a property in Wyoming, including those on the Wind River Reservation.
- Must currently occupy the property as the primary residence.
- Must have a total annual household income at or below 150% of the area median income.
- Must have experienced a COVID-related financial hardship after January 21, 2020
- If applying for mortgage assistance, the loan must be the first lien on the property, and the homeowner must not intend to sell the property within six months of receiving assistance.