HUD APPROVES CONNECTICUT'S $33 MILLION EMERGENCY HOME LOAN PROGRAM
State expected to take applications in early April

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today approved the State of Connecticut's bid to administer HUD's Emergency Homeowner Loan Program (EHLP), a bridge loan program designed to help unemployed families pay their mortgages. HUD determined Connecticut's Housing Finance Authority's mortgage bridge loan program is "substantially similar" to HUD's program, thereby allowing the State to begin implementing the program itself.

Late last year, HUD awarded $1 billion to 32 states and Puerto Rico, including $33 million to the State of Connecticut, to provide emergency assistance to homeowners at risk of foreclosure due to a substantial reduction in income brought on by layoff, underemployment, or a medical condition. With today's approval, Connecticut is expected to begin accepting applications from distressed homeowners in early April.

"The Emergency Homeowner Loan Program will provide limited and targeted assistance to help working families get back on their feet and keep their home while they look for work," said Secretary Donovan. "We are pleased to get the program off the ground in Connecticut, which is already working to help keep families in their homes during difficult economic times."

"While our economy is showing signs of improvement, it's unfortunately not fast enough for some families who are struggling to keep their houses in these tough economic times," said Governor Dannel Malloy. "While this is a federal program, it will be implemented right here in Connecticut, allowing families who need our help the most to receive it efficiently and quickly."

"This HUD grant will enable more struggling families to stay in their homes - good news for them and Connecticut's economy," U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said. "I'll continue working for our state's hard-pressed homeowners who still need help."

"This emergency funding will go a long way to help unemployed homeowners in our community keep their homes while they continue to search for work," said Congressman John Larson. "That's exactly why we created this program, and I'm glad it's delivering for Connecticut families."

"In these tough economic times, assistance such as the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) will play a critical role for individuals and families that have seen drastic cuts to their income, are unable to find a job, or have significant medical problems," Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said. These funds will enable many Connecticut residents to get back on their feet financially and hold onto their homes."

EHLP was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The law authorized HUD's Secretary to allow funds to be administered by states that have an existing program that provides substantially similar assistance to homeowners. HUD found Pennsylvania is administering an equivalent program and the grant funds may be used for reasonable administrative costs and to provide EHLP loans to homeowners in the state.

HUD's Emergency Home Loan Program will work through a variety of state and non-profit entities and will offer a declining balance, deferred payment "bridge loan" (zero percent interest, non-recourse, subordinate loan) for up to $50,000 to assist eligible borrowers with payments on their mortgage principal, interest, mortgage insurance, taxes and hazard insurance for up to 24 months.

Under the program, eligible borrowers must:

1. Be at least three months delinquent in their payments and have a reasonable likelihood of being able to resume repayment of their mortgage payments and related housing expenses within two years;
2. Have a mortgage property that is the principal residence of the borrower; and
3. Demonstrate a good payment record prior to the event that produced the reduction of income.

HUD determined that 27 states will use the delegated approach to program administration. Under this approach, HUD will delegate key program administration functions to an experienced and highly regarded national network of affiliated housing counseling agencies. Under the program, nonprofit housing counselors who are part of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program administered by NeighborWorks® America will coordinate intake counseling, document preparation and outreach functions. HUD will also use it delegation authority to contract with an experienced entity to provide loan servicing and fiscal control functions such as collecting payments from homeowners, distributing payments to servicers, and managing loan balances.

HUD will announce additional details and program specifics for the delegated approach states when NeighborWorks® America launches the program in the coming weeks.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.