Homeowner Assistance Program Launched

The federally funded New Hampshire Homeowner Assistance Fund (NH HAF) program, established through the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR), is accepting applications.  

The program provides aid to eligible NH residents who are struggling to pay their mortgage, property taxes, utility bills, and other housing costs due to the pandemic. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, and payments to providers are expected to begin this month. The program is administered by NH Housing. 

To be eligible for the program, homeowners must own and occupy the property as their primary residence; have an income of less than 125% of the Area Median Income for where they live; and experienced a pandemic-related reduction in income or an increase in household expenses that existed after January 21, 2020.

There are three types of assistance, with a total maximum benefit per property of $20,000:

• Mortgage Loan Reinstatement – funds for delinquent mortgage payments (maximum benefit - $20,000) 
• Property Charges Default Resolution – funds for delinquent property taxes, homeowner insurance, homeowner association or condominium fees/dues, and co-op maintenance or lot rents (maximum benefit - $20,000) 
• Utility / Internet Payment Assistance – funds for delinquent utility (electricity, gas, heating fuel costs, and internet payments (maximum benefit - $3,000) 

Regardless of a homeowner’s eligibility for the NH Homeowner Assistance Fund, housing counseling and legal services (often at no or low cost) are available to those who require additional assistance. AHEAD, a nonprofit NH agency that offers financial and foreclosure counseling statewide, provides community navigator services to assist homeowners with the application process.  

Homeowners who are experiencing immediate threat of foreclosure, tax deed, or sheriff’s sale should contact 603 Legal Aid at (603) 224-3333. The application portal, guidelines, and additional details are available at HomeHelpNH.org.