November 6, 2020 will be the last day for Vermont homeowners behind on their mortgage payments due to COVID to submit applications for mortgage assistance grants. Funded by the federal CARES Act, Vermont Mortgage Assistance grants for up to 6 months of missed payments are available to any homeowner who meets eligibility criteria, even if they have already arranged a forbearance agreement.
If you or someone you know needs help with their mortgage due to COVID-19, information and application materials are available on VHFA’s website at www.vhfa.org/map. Vermont Legal Aid’s hotline at 1-800-889-2047 is also available to answer questions about the program by phone. Although the program is being administered by VHFA, it is open to all eligible homeowners, regardless of whether they have a VHFA mortgage or not.
Five hundred Vermont homeowners across the state have already applied for over $3 million in federally-funded grant assistance.The vast majority of Vermonters who have applied for help with their mortgage are facing multiple challenges compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A similar program, the Rental Housing Stabilization Program, is available for renters and landlords in need of rental arrearage assistance due to COVID-19 through the Vermont State Housing Authority. For more information, visit www.vsha.org or call 802-828-2040.
Both the Mortgage Assistance Program and Rental Housing Stabilization program were created by the Vermont Legislature with the passage of H.966 which was signed by Governor Scott in July 2020. The act provides COVID-19 funding and assistance for broadband, connectivity, housing and economic relief.