Last updated: June 2, 2026
Your mortgage, property tax bill, insurance bill, HOA notice, or utility shutoff warning is due now, but the COVID-era Homeowner Assistance Fund in your state may already be closed. The urgent question is simple: is there still a real place to apply, or do you need to move to another plan today?
What the Homeowner Assistance Fund is now
The Homeowner Assistance Fund, often called HAF, was created under the American Rescue Plan Act to help homeowners with housing costs tied to COVID-19 hardship. The U.S. Treasury says HAF provided $9.961 billion to states, U.S. territories, and Indian Tribes for homeowners facing financial hardship. You can read the federal overview on the Treasury HAF page before you apply anywhere else.
HAF was not one national application. It was run by state housing agencies, the District of Columbia, territories, Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. That is why one state may be closed, another may have a narrow foreclosure-only reopening, and another may still process pending applications.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the program is scheduled to end in September 2026 or when the money has been used up, whichever comes first. The CFPB HAF page also says each state program may have its own rules and may have no funds left. That means you should never rely on an old news story, a social media post, or a third-party grant directory.
Important: Even if a HAF page is still online, the program may be closed, limited to pending cases, or limited to one type of help. Look for words like “accepting applications,” “closed,” “waitlist,” “suspended,” “reopened,” “subject to funds,” and “deadline.” If you cannot find a clear date, call before spending hours on paperwork.
The fastest way to check if HAF is still open
Start with your official state or territory program page, not a paid lead form. If you are unsure where to start, the NCSHA tracker links to state and territory HAF programs and shows whether many programs are open, closed, or suspended. Use it as a map, then confirm on the official program page because status can change fast.
If you are a tribal member, live on tribal lands, or may be served by a tribal housing program, also check the tribal listings and contact your Tribe or Tribally Designated Housing Entity. Some homeowners may need to ask both the state program and the tribal program where they should apply.
Three checks to do first
- Check your state page today. Look for the application button and the latest status note. If the page says closed, see whether it still accepts appeals, pending documents, or questions on old applications.
- Call or email before you apply. Ask if new applications are accepted, what deadline applies, and whether your type of bill is covered.
- Contact a housing counselor. If you are behind on a mortgage, a HUD counselor search can help you work with the servicer and compare HAF with other options.
Phone script for the HAF office
Hello, my name is [name]. I own and live in my home in [city or county]. I am trying to find out whether the Homeowner Assistance Fund is still accepting new applications. I need help with [mortgage / property taxes / insurance / HOA / utilities / repair tied to housing stability]. Is the program open today? If yes, what is the deadline, what documents do I need, and does applying notify my mortgage servicer?
What “still open” can mean in 2026
By 2026, “open” may not mean broad help for every homeowner. It may mean one county, one type of delinquency, one final deadline, or only enough funding for a small number of households. The table below shows why you must check the official page for your location.
| Program or place | Status found on official or high-trust sources | What to learn from it |
|---|---|---|
| Federal HAF window | The CFPB says HAF is scheduled to end September 2026 or when funds are used up, whichever comes first. | The federal end date does not mean your state is still open. |
| Montana | The Montana HAF page says utilities assistance stopped taking applications on March 31, 2026, while mortgage reinstatement and lien prevention continue through July 31, 2026, subject to eligibility and funds. | A state may close one part of HAF but leave another part open. |
| Hawaii | The Hawaii HAF page, last updated April 27, 2026, says Maui County HAF accepts applications through May 27, 2026, while other county programs are closed to new applications. | A program may be open only in one county or service area. |
| Oregon | The Oregon HAF page says Oregon is reopening HAF to help homeowners in jeopardy of foreclosure, with grants paid to servicers for eligible homeowners. | A state that closed earlier may reopen for a narrower group. |
| North Dakota | North Dakota HAF says applications are open. A May 8, 2026 state notice says homeowners at risk of foreclosure should apply by August 15, 2026, and that the program offers up to $40,000 for eligible delinquent costs. | Some programs have a clear final application date. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey ERMA still shows a program site and application entry, while New Jersey materials describe HAF-related assistance that may total up to $75,000 depending on program component and eligibility. | When a page is active, still call to confirm current funding before relying on it. |
| Texas | The Texas HAF page says the Texas Homeowner Assistance Program closed and is no longer assisting homeowners as of April 15, 2025. | Some large programs are fully closed even before the federal end date. |
| New York | The New York tracker says the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund is closed, stopped accepting applications in February 2022, and is no longer serving people on the waitlist. | A waitlist may also be closed, so do not assume old applications are still active. |
Tip: Save a screenshot or PDF of the program status page on the day you apply. If the program later closes or says documents were missing, your notes may help a counselor understand what happened.
If your HAF program is still open, move quickly but carefully
An open HAF program may be first-come, limited by remaining funds, or restricted to foreclosure risk. Application submission does not guarantee help. Some programs pay the mortgage servicer, tax office, insurance company, HOA, utility, or contractor directly instead of sending money to the homeowner.
Most HAF programs require that you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, show a financial hardship tied to the COVID-19 period, and meet program income rules. HUD publishes the HUD income tool for HAF income limits. Some states use lower limits or extra rules, so your local program page controls.
You may be a better fit if
- You own and live in the home as your main home.
- You are behind or at risk on mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA, utilities, or a covered housing cost.
- Your hardship can be explained in plain language and tied to the COVID-19 period or its financial effects.
- Your household income is within the current local limit.
- You are asking for a second home, investment property, or non-covered upgrade.
- You already received the maximum help allowed by your program.
If the program asks for a mortgage statement, give the most recent one. If it asks for a reinstatement quote, ask your servicer for a written quote with a good-through date. If the program asks for a utility bill, include the full bill, account number, service address, and shutoff notice if you have one.
Phone script for your mortgage servicer
Hello, I am applying for Homeowner Assistance Fund help through [state program]. Please note my account. I need a current reinstatement quote, a list of all loss mitigation options, and confirmation of whether you will pause foreclosure activity if the HAF program contacts you. Please send this in writing.
If foreclosure, tax sale, or shutoff is already moving
Do not wait for HAF to answer before calling your servicer, a housing counselor, and legal aid. HAF can be helpful, but it is not a court defense by itself, and it may not stop a sale date unless your servicer or local rules allow a pause.
If Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac owns your mortgage, the CFPB says servicers are generally required to pause foreclosure activity for up to 60 days after the HAF program notifies them of your application. You can check ownership with the Fannie Mae lookup and the Freddie Mac lookup. Even if your loan is FHA, VA, USDA, a bank portfolio loan, or another loan type, still ask the servicer in writing whether it will pause action while HAF or loss mitigation is pending.
If you have a sale date, court date, tax sale notice, sheriff sale notice, or a letter from a law firm, contact a legal aid group right away. The LSC legal aid locator can help you find free civil legal aid in your area, though each local office has its own eligibility and case limits.
Phone script for a housing counselor
Hello, I am behind on my home costs and I may lose my home. I have [sale date / court date / shutoff date / tax sale date] on [date]. I need help checking whether HAF is still open and I need help talking to my servicer about loss mitigation. What documents should I send today?
Phone script for legal aid
Hello, I own and live in my home. I received a [foreclosure / tax sale / HOA lien / court] notice. The deadline or sale date is [date]. I am low-income or on a fixed income and need to know if your office can review the papers or refer me to emergency help.
If HAF is closed where you live
A closed HAF program is not the end of your options. It means you need to shift from “HAF application” to “loss mitigation, counseling, utility help, repair help, tax help, legal help, and local programs.” Start with the risk that can take your home away the fastest.
| Problem | Where to try next | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Behind on mortgage | Your mortgage servicer and CFPB mortgage help | Ask for loss mitigation, a written list of options, and a single point of contact if available. |
| Servicer error or delay | CFPB complaint | File only after you have tried the company first, and upload proof if you have it. |
| Utility shutoff | 211 utility help, your utility, and your local Community Action Agency | Ask about crisis funds, payment plans, shutoff protection, medical protection, and local charities. |
| Heating or cooling costs | Your state or tribal LIHEAP office | Ask about bill help, crisis help, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. |
| High energy bills or unsafe heating | DOE weatherization | Ask your local provider if the home can be inspected for energy and health-and-safety measures. |
| Rural health or safety repairs | USDA repair program | Ask about Section 504 loans and grants. USDA lists a $40,000 loan maximum and a $10,000 grant maximum, with higher grant limits in presidentially declared disaster areas. |
| Declared disaster damage | FEMA disaster aid and SBA disaster loans | Ask what is available for uninsured or underinsured damage, and watch all filing deadlines. |
Phone script for 211 or a utility
Hello, I own and live in my home. I have a utility shutoff or past-due bill for [electric / gas / water / sewer]. HAF is closed in my state or I cannot wait for it. Can you screen me for LIHEAP, crisis assistance, payment plans, medical shutoff protections, local charities, or weatherization?
Documents to gather before you call or apply
Do not wait until every paper is perfect. But the more organized you are, the easier it is for a HAF worker, counselor, or servicer to understand your case. Keep copies of everything you upload or mail.
| Document | Why it matters | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms who is applying. | Ask the program what to do if your ID address is old. |
| Mortgage statement | Shows servicer, loan number, payment amount, and delinquency. | Use the newest statement and ask for a reinstatement quote if foreclosure is active. |
| Tax, insurance, HOA, or utility bills | Shows what is past due and who must be paid. | Include account numbers and shutoff or lien notices. |
| Income proof | Programs use income to decide eligibility. | Common proof includes pay stubs, benefit letters, retirement income, unemployment, child support, or tax returns. |
| Hardship statement | Explains why you fell behind. | Keep it short: income dropped, costs rose, medical or caregiving costs changed, or pandemic effects caused debt. |
| Foreclosure or court papers | Shows deadlines and risk level. | Send these to a counselor or legal aid right away. |
| Repair estimate or inspection | Needed only if the program covers repairs or displacement prevention. | Do not start work before approval unless safety requires emergency action and you understand the risk. |
Can HAF still help with home repairs?
Some HAF programs covered certain repairs, but many did not. The Treasury and CFPB materials list “certain home repairs” as a possible eligible use, not a guarantee. In practice, repair help usually had to connect to keeping the homeowner safely housed, preventing displacement, or fixing a problem tied to the program rules.
For example, a roof leak that makes the home unsafe, a failed heating system, a sewer backup, or a repair required to keep insurance or occupancy may be more relevant than a cosmetic upgrade. But every program decides its own covered repairs, inspection rules, contractor rules, payment process, and caps.
Ask these repair questions
- Does the program still cover repairs at all?
- Does it require an inspection before approval?
- Does it pay the contractor directly?
- Must the contractor be licensed, insured, local, or approved by the program?
- Can I use HAF for repairs if I am not behind on my mortgage?
- Will repair funds count toward a lifetime or household cap?
Do not assume reimbursement. If you pay a contractor before approval, the program may refuse to reimburse you. Ask for written rules before signing a contract unless there is an immediate safety emergency.
If you are denied, delayed, waitlisted, or overwhelmed
A denial may mean the program is closed, funds are gone, a document was missing, your income was over the limit, the bill was not covered, you already received the maximum, or the hardship did not match program rules. It does not always mean there is no way to protect the home.
What to do after a denial
- Read the denial letter. Look for the exact reason and any appeal deadline.
- Ask for a plain-language explanation. Treasury says homeowners should contact the state, DC, territorial, tribal, or local HAF program for complaints or appeals about a HAF application.
- Fix missing documents fast. If the issue is a missing bill, income proof, signature, or ID, ask whether a correction is still allowed.
- Keep working with the servicer. Do not stop loss mitigation just because HAF was pending or denied.
- Use legal help for deadlines. If there is a foreclosure sale, tax sale, or court date, ask legal aid whether any answer, motion, mediation request, or deadline applies.
Common mistakes that can hurt a case
- Assuming an old application is still active without checking.
- Ignoring mail from the servicer, tax office, HOA, court, or HAF program.
- Uploading screenshots instead of full bills when full bills are required.
- Waiting for HAF while a foreclosure sale date gets closer.
- Paying a company that promises approval or says it has a special government connection.
- Signing a deed, power of attorney, or contract you do not understand.
Scam warnings for HAF and mortgage help
Real HAF programs do not need a private company to “unlock” funds for you. Be careful with anyone who says you must pay an upfront fee, buy a gift card, send cryptocurrency, stop paying your mortgage, stop talking to your servicer, or sign over your deed.
The FTC mortgage scam guide warns that mortgage relief scammers often target homeowners who are trying to avoid foreclosure. The FTC grant scam guide also warns that government agencies will not contact you out of the blue by phone, text, social media, or email about a grant you did not apply for.
Use official government pages, HUD-approved counselors, legal aid, your servicer, your tax office, your utility, and known local nonprofits. If a website looks official but asks for a fee to apply for HAF, stop and verify with your state housing agency.
FAQs
Are any Homeowner Assistance Fund programs still open?
Yes, some official pages still show open, reopened, or limited programs in 2026, while many others are closed. Status changes often, so check the NCSHA tracker, then confirm on your official state, territory, county, or tribal program page.
Does the September 2026 end date mean my state must take applications until then?
No. The federal program may run until September 2026 or until funds are used up, but each program can close earlier when money is gone, deadlines pass, or a program enters closeout.
Can HAF stop foreclosure?
Sometimes it can help, but do not rely on it alone. If your HAF program accepts your application, your servicer may pause some foreclosure steps depending on who owns or backs the loan and local rules. Call your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor, and legal aid if a sale date or court date exists.
Can I apply for HAF if I need home repairs?
Only if your local program still accepts applications and covers the repair type. Some HAF programs covered certain repairs tied to housing stability. Many did not, and many repair programs have closed.
What should I do if HAF is closed in my state?
Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor, your mortgage servicer, legal aid if foreclosure is active, 211 for local help, LIHEAP for energy bills, weatherization for energy-related improvements, and USDA Rural Development if you may qualify for rural repair help.
About This Guide
This HomeRepairGrants.org guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit/community sources mentioned in the article, including Treasury, CFPB, HUD, state HAF agencies, 211, USDA, DOE, FEMA, SBA, FTC, and legal aid resources.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency, does not guarantee eligibility, and is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules, funding, phone numbers, deadlines, and open or closed status can change. Always confirm with the official program before applying or making financial decisions.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.
Next review: August 17, 2026