What is Help for Homeowners?
ND Help for Homeowners was created for homeowners at risk of housing instability due to financial issues. This assistance can help qualifying homeowners who are at risk of housing instability due to past due mortgage, utilities, or related property expenses or who may be struggling to maintain stable housing for other financial reasons. These funds are intended to complement solutions that are offered by mortgage servicers.
Who qualifies for Help for Homeowners?
Homeowner eligibility
To be eligible, homeowners must:
- Have experienced a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Have income equal to or less than 150% area median income.
- Own and occupy the property for which they seek assistance as their primary residence.
Property eligibility
Owner occupied, North Dakota properties that are:
- Single family home
- Owner occupied rental property (1-4 unit, owner occupied unit only)
- Condominiums
- Manufactured home (if applicant is the owner of the home)
How do Help for Homeowners payments work?
The program provides a one-time lump sum mortgage and utility reinstatement assistance grant for eligible homeowners. Loans in forbearance are eligible. Assistance can be used to pay past due costs such as the following:
- Reinstatement of a delinquent first mortgage (including forborne amounts)
- Past due property taxes or homeowner insurance premiums
- Condo or homeowner association fees
- Attorney’s fees
- Special assessments
- Delinquent junior liens
- Water, home energy, electricity, and garbage balances
- Past due lot rent
Per household assistance
Households can receive up to $40,000 in assistance.
Documents to have when you apply:
Required:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Most recent copy of your mortgage statement
- Most recent real estate tax statement or escrow account disclosure statement showing taxes paid and/or taxes due
- Three (3) months most recent utility bills (all utilities)
- Proof of income: Most recently filed tax returns or two (2) months most recent pay stubs for each adult as applicable
- If applicable, 2 months of most recent unearned income statements
- social security or retirement benefits
- child support
- spousal support
- unemployment
- tribal payments
- oil royalties
Recommended:
- Proof of homeowners insurance and, if relevant, flood insurance
Homeowners
- Step by Step Guide to Applying
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Connect with a local HUD-approved housing counselor. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, unbiased, confidential services to help you make choices to address your housing needs.
- You may qualify for help with utility bills and future energy costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Visit the Apply for Help page to learn more about eligibility and apply.
Servicers
- Step by Step Guide to Payee Account Creation
- ND Homeowners Assistance Fund Collaboration Agreement
- IRS Revenue Procedure Notice : Tax treatment of COVID-19 Homeowner Relief Payments Clarified
- Federal Income Tax Consequences of Receiving Assistance from a State Homeowner Assistance Fund program (National Housing Law Project)
Related links
What other programs can help me?
HHS may be able to offer additional support. Other programs you may qualify for include home energy assistance, food support and help paying for child care.
Contact Us
For information about applying, program eligibility, or an existing case, contact the ND Housing Stability Program.
Economic Assistance Policy Division
ND Housing Stability Program
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-1907
ND Relay TTY: (800) 366-6888
Email: haf@nd.gov
The appeal process is available if you disagree with a decision made by the Department on your application for rent help. To file an appeal, fill out the SFN 62086.
Once your appeal form is completed, click on the email to submit. You can attach additional files to support your appeal request.
Please review DN 295: Rights to a Hearing