Thousands of Californians who fell behind on their mortgages or property taxes during the pandemic were eligible for federal relief funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, but the plan covered only payments from Jan. 1, 2020, to March 1, 2023.
Officials for the agency, which manages the California Mortgage Relief Program, said the extension comes as homeowners have yet to deplete the $1 billion in funds the state received. The program has aided over 30,000 homeowners with up to $80,000 per applicant.
“By extending the delinquency data, we are broadening the reach of our program to assist more families in need. … These grants represent a crucial support system for Californians, enabling them to catch up on past-due bills caused by the pandemic and secure their financial well-being,” said Rebecca Franklin, president of the agency’s Homeowner Relief Corporation, in the press release.
The non-repayable grants can help anyone catch up on mortgage and reverse mortgage payments, unpaid property taxes, or paying off loan deferrals, according to officials. Those previously denied for missing the past deadline are encouraged to reapply, they said.
Aid is available for qualifying applicants who experienced hardship due to COVID, such as reduced wages or increased living expenses. The program isn’t available for homeowners with more than one home, nor for those who have already paid off their mortgage.
Applicants must provide a mortgage statement, bank statements, pay stubs, and tax returns for proof of income, utility bills, unemployment benefits if any, as well as a California ID or Social Security Number. The application is available online in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog.
