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1. Learn about this resource. 

Homeowners can receive a forgivable loan if they’ve fallen behind on their mortgage, property taxes, or other fees that come with owning a home because they’ve become unemployed, had their hours reduced, or experienced an involuntary loss of income. You can receive up to $60,000 to help you catch up on past mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner association fees, insurance, or other housing-related fees. You can also use the loan to pay your mortgage through December 31, 2021. The application deadline was May 14, 2021, and the program is not accepting new applications.

 

This program is called HomeSaver and is offered by the DC Housing Finance Agency.

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2. Check if you are eligible.

You may be eligible if all of these statements are true:

• You own the home that you live in.

• You live in DC.

• You do not live in a housing cooperative (that’s when you own a share of a building rather than just one unit).

• You owe up to $60,000 on past mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner association fees, insurance, or other housing-related fees. Or, you can show that you will be able to pay any overdue payments over $60,000.

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• And if one of these statements is true:

  • You’ve received unemployment benefits in the last 12 months.

  • Your income has been reduced by at least 10% in the last 12 months. For example, maybe your hours have been cut back significantly or you took a new job with significantly lower wages.

  • Your spouse or co-borrower passed away.

  • You experienced a medical event that prevented you from working or required you to spend a significant amount of money on medical bills.

  • You and your spouse divorced.

  • You have a disability.

 

Depending on your circumstances, there may be some additional requirements that a housing counselor can check with you after you apply.