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$55M in Mortgage Relief Available to Homeowners in New Mexico
Homeowners in New Mexico might be eligible for financial assistance from the government through a state-run mortgage relief program.
By Amy Loftsgordon, Attorney · University of Denver Sturm College of Law
In early 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. This law created a Homeowner Assistance Fund, a federal program, to give around $10 billion to the states to help households that are behind on their mortgages and other housing expenses due to COVID-19.
Eligible homeowners in New Mexico who've experienced a financial hardship because of COVID-19 can get some of the approximately $55 million allocated to the state by applying to the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund program. The New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund program provides federal money, up to $30,000 per household, to homeowners so they can make mortgage payments and pay other home-related costs.
What Housing Costs Does the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Program Cover?
Money from the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund program can be used to cover:
Mortgage reinstatement. You might be eligible for money to reinstate a delinquent mortgage, including payments in forbearance, as well as partial claims and deferrals originated after January 21, 2020.
Monthly mortgage payments. If you're currently receiving unemployment benefits and your housing costs are 40% or more of your household income, you might qualify for money to make monthly payments.
Property taxes and homeowners' insurance. You could qualify for funding to pay up to five years of delinquent property taxes, overdue homeowners' insurance, reverse mortgageescrow shortages, and taxes and insurance that are due up to 90 days after you apply.
Eligibility Requirements for the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Program
To qualify for relief from this program, you must have suffered a financial hardship (a material reduction in income or an increase in living expenses) after January 21, 2020, because of COVID-19.
In addition, you have to meet some other guidelines:
The property must be located in New Mexico.
Your household income must be at or below 150% of the area median income or 100% of the U.S. median income, whichever is greater.
The property must be a single-family residential property, condo, townhome, manufactured home that's permanently affixed to real property and taxed as such, or a mobile home that isn't permanently affixed to real property (but land or lot rental payments probably aren't eligible).
Your original loan balance must not have been more than $417,000 or the conforming loan limit in place at the time you bought your home. Eligible loans include, among others, mortgages, deed of trusts, real estate contracts, lease-purchase contracts, mobile/manufactured home loans, chattel loans, and land contracts.
How the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Program Works
Assistance is structured as a grant that you don't have to repay. You would only need to repay the money if you commit fraud or wrongful misrepresentation in the application process.
New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund payments go directly to the loan servicer or other approved entity, not to homeowners.
How to Apply for Assistance From the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Program
You'll probably have to provide some documentation with your application, like mortgage statements or statements for your other housing-related costs, proof of income (such as pay stubs and tax returns), and a government-issued ID (like a driver's license).
You can request a hard copy of the application (see below for contact information) if you don't want to apply online.
Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. So, if you think you might qualify, it's best to apply as soon as possible before funds run out.
Avoid Homeowner Assistance Fund Scams
If you get an unsolicited offer by phone, in the U.S. mail, through email, or by text message offering mortgage relief or foreclosure rescue services, be wary. Scammers sometimes target homeowners who've been affected by COVID-19.
The New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund program is free. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to get housing counseling or to receive foreclosure prevention services from this program, it's a scam.
Be sure to report any fraudulent activity you encounter.
Learn More About the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Program
If you have questions or need help with your application, call 505-308-4206 or 866-488-0498 and review the program's FAQs.