Last year President Biden proposed and Congress adopted the American Rescue Plan, which was a $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package designed to speed America’s recovery from the Covid pandemic. Among the bill’s many proposals was almost $10 billion for states, territories and tribes to provide relief to vulnerable homeowners through a “Homeowner Assistance Fund.”
Monies from the Homeowners Assistance Fund were not immediately available. Instead, each state had to draft a state-specific plan, submit it to the US government, and get the plan approved by the US Treasury. In each state, different sorts of relief were considered, such as mortgage payments versus other types of needs. In North Carolina the NC Chapter of the Community Associations Institute as well as our firm requested that such housing relief also be available to owners in community associations for the payment of HOA and condo assessments. After all, the failure to pay such required funds could lead to significant consequences, including foreclosure. The State submitted its paperwork to the US treasury in summer of 2021, and the State plan has just received approval.
Rely upon the links below for specific information. Generally, however, the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund accepts applications from North Carolina homeowners who were (a) impacted by the pandemic, and (b) need assistance with housing and related expenses. The Fund can offer assistance of up to $40,000 to qualified homeowners as long as funds remain available. Among other things, requested monies can specifically cover “other housing and related costs, such as homeowners insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowner‘s association dues/fees or delinquent property taxes to prevent foreclosure.“ Financial hardship must be shown and could be due to a job loss, business closure, reduction in hours or pay, difficulty in obtaining new employment, death of a spouse or co-owner or increased expenses due to the pandemic, and more. There are income and other requirements, and any request must be related to a primary residence.
For more information or to apply, visit the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund webpage.
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South Carolina also submitted a plan to the US treasury. However, it does not appear that plan has yet been approved. For more SC details, visit South Carolina Housing.
For any HOA/condo questions, contact a community association attorney at any of Law Firm Carolinas’ offices.