HUD News

Washington- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for the Wrangell Cooperative Association to assist the areas affected by severe storms, landslides, and mudslides on November 20, 2023. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration on March 15, 2024.

Effective immediately, HUD is-

Providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages by the federal housing administration and foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. A 90-day extension period will also be granted automatically for home equity conversion mortgages.

Homeowners who are affected by disaster can reach out to their mortgage or loan servicer for much-needed assistance.

Mortgage insurance- HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims when their homes are destroyed or damaged to the extent that they need complete replacement. Borrowers are eligible for 100% financing including the closing costs.

Flexibility to tribes- Tribes and tribally designated housing entities can apply for flexibility via regulatory waivers. Tribes and TDHEs should contact their local Office of Native American Programs for detailed information on how to apply for a waiver.

Flexibility to public housing agencies- The Public Housing Agencies can also apply for the waivers and flexibility for disaster relief and recovery. PIH notice 2021-34 was also released by the department to advise the public of HUD’s expedited process for waivers and flexibilities for numerous public housing and voucher programs. The PHA must be located in an active Presidentially declared Major Disaster Declaration area to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver.

Flexibility to Community Planning and Development Grantees- The recipients of the programs including Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) Program, Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Program, Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program can apply for the administrative flexibility in the wake of natural disasters. The recipients need to contact their local community planning and development program office to get more information on how to apply for a waiver or suspension of program requirements.

Providing information on housing providers and HUD programs- HUD will share the information on housing providers that may have available housing units in their counties such as public housing agencies and multi-family owners with FEMA and the state.

Insurance for mortgage and home rehabilitation- The individuals are allowed to finance the purchase or refinance house along with its repair via a single mortgage through HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program. Besides this, the homeowners can also refinance the rehabilitation of the existing homes if damaged.

Assisting with housing discrimination- Housing discrimination happens when people find and access housing post a disaster. The victims of housing discrimination can reach out to the HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to get the required assistance. You can file a fair housing complaint with HUD if you think that your rights have been violated. Persons with limited English proficiency can get the desired assistance and materials. Also, note that HUD will not be able to help if your complaint is filed more than a year after the discrimination act took place.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies- HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors to assist the people impacted by disaster and determine the assistance they require.