Please see this announcement from DHCD:
The Commonwealth is preparing to launch the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) in partnership with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing), the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F), the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), and the Massachusetts Division of Banks (the Division).
MHP and MassHousing will administer the program, which will cover homeowners eligible for RAFT or ERMA, and expand eligibility to households with an income less than or equal to 150% of Area Median Income (AMI). Additional details on eligibility can be found at www.mass.gov/HAF.
Starting January 2022, MA Homeowners will be directed to the MA HAF application. Homeowners who have already applied through the Housing Assistance Central Application prior to December 1 will continue to have their application processed by the RAAs or RAP Center. Further, starting January 1st, 2022, the only homeowner assistance program will be HAF, RAFT and ERMA will no longer be available for mortgage assistance.
HAF Advocate/CBO Info Sessions
DHCD will be hosting training sessions on the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) for Community Based Organizations on Tuesday, December 14th at 12pm and Wednesday, December 15th at 1pm. The one-hour sessions will cover an overview of HAF (eligibility), the transition from RAFT/ERAP and best practices to get a complete application. Please sign up for a session by clicking the links below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:
· HAF Advocate/CBO Info Session -Tuesday, December 14th at 12 – 1pm (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7m3LbNApQvywqMp_Tga_DQ)
· HAF Advocate/CBO Info Session -Wednesday, December 15th at 1 – 2pm (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wl_41_pZTcaDHW3-G-Mbfw)
Additional staff at DHCD and at the regional agencies continue adjusting programs and internal processes to meet the shifting demands for housing assistance. We know that many low-income households continue to feel the repercussions of the ongoing public health crisis and we still face some uncertainty.
Please share this information widely within your organization. Thank you for your continued partnership and advocacy.
