As the RentHelpMN program continues to support renter households financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota Housing has drafted a plan to create the HomeHelpMN COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund. HomeHelpMN will provide professional counseling and direct financial support to individual homeowners that are struggling with housing costs as a result of the pandemic, including assistance making mortgage payments, reducing principal and/or interest rates, and covering other past due expenses such as property taxes, insurance premiums, and homeowner association fees. Minnesota Housing’s Board of Directors recently approved the HomeHelpMN plan, which now must be reviewed by the United States Department of the Treasury for final approval.
As approval for HomeHelpMN is pending, Minnesota Housing has not yet established a program start date or pre-screening schedule to determine program eligibility. In the meantime, Minnesota Housing recommends that any homeowner at risk of foreclosure should seek immediate assistance by:
- Connecting with a HUD-approved housing counselor. This is especially important if you are facing foreclosure. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, unbiased, confidential services to help homeowners make choices to address their housing needs. To find a counselor in your area, contact the Minnesota Homeownership Center.
- Contacting your mortgage servicer to discuss what options may be available to you to avoid foreclosure. You can learn more at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Applying for Energy Assistance. If you are behind on utility bills, you may qualify for assistance. Contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce or call 651-657-3710.
To stay informed regarding the approval and timeline of HomeHelpMN, sign up for eNews updates here (please note that the eNews sign-up link doesn't work in Internet Explorer. Please use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox). You can also email any questions about the program to homehelpmn@state.mn.us.
