Are you facing foreclosure or struggling to pay your mortgage?
CHFA’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP) is a 30-year, fixed-rate loan for eligible homeowners who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. If you are behind on your mortgage, expect to fall behind or are facing foreclosure due to a financial hardship, EMAP can help you catch up or stay current with your payments.
With EMAP, you may qualify for monthly financial assistance to pay your mortgage for up to 60 months. The amount you can receive each month depends on your financial situation and the median income in your area. CHFA will determine when you are ready to start paying back your EMAP loan and, until then, no interest will accrue.
What is a financial hardship?
Candidates must prove that they fell behind on their mortgage payments due to a temporary financial hardship beyond their control, such as:
- Unemployment or underemployment
- A loss, reduction or delay in Social Security, public assistance, pension, disability, retirement or annuity benefits
- Divorce or loss of support payments
- Disability, illness, or death of an owner or family member
- A significant increase in monthly mortgage payments
- Unanticipated rise in housing expenses
A hardship does not include accumulated credit or installment debt for non-essential purchases.
The program is also available to:
- Homeowners with mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
- Homeowners facing foreclosure due to delinquent taxes, condominium or common interest community fees, water and sewer charges.
To qualify, homeowners must live in the property facing foreclosure. No business or commercial use of the property is allowed. Eligible properties include:
- Single-family homes
- A condominium
- Homes located in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)
- Two-to-four family homes
Further Requirements
- You must have tried to negotiate a repayment plan with your lender.
- If you receive a Summons and Complaint, you must participate in the Judicial Mediation Program.
- You must have a favorable mortgage credit history for the previous two years (or period of ownership), with no more than three 30-day late payments during the 12 months prior to the hardship.
- CHFA must determine that you will be able to restore your mortgage payments and repay the EMAP loan.
- You must be fully discharged from any action of bankruptcy.
- You must notify CHFA of any changes in circumstance that could affect eligibility.
- Your eligibility must be verified annually.
- Pension and retirement funds must be disclosed as part of the applicant’s assets, however, up to $100,000 of such funds will be excluded from consideration.
Additional Resources
Homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments are encouraged to contact a housing counseling agency to explore all foreclosure prevention options available.
Questions?
Contact the CHFA Customer Call Center at (860) 571-3500 or toll free at (877) 571-CHFA.