No, PAHAF is only available for homeowners. Renters experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic are encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, which is overseeing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

Yes, PHFA maintains a webpage of resources for individuals who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PA Department of Health and Department of Human Services also have useful webpages, including information on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). We encourage all homeowners to reach out to their servicers and mortgage lenders to discuss loss mitigation options which may provide a more immediate solution.

Homeowner(s) must have an annualized current income of no more than the 150% of the area median income for a household, for the relevant household size, as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2) for purposes of the HAF, or 100% of the national median income, whichever is greater.

Because available funding may not be sufficient to meet the needs of all Pennsylvania homeowners, the PAHAF program will serve homeowners with the most need first. The following is the order of priority for eligible PAHAF applicants:

• Priority 1 – Homeowners with annualized current income of no more than 100% of county area median income (AMI) for the relevant household size income or 100% of the area median of the United States ($79,000) whichever is greater and meet the definition of socially disadvantaged.
• Priority 2 – Homeowners with annualized current income of no more than 100% of county area median income (AMI) for the relevant household size income or 100% of the area median of the United States ($79,000) whichever is greater.
• Priority 3 – Homeowners with annualized current income of no more than 150% of county area median income (AMI) for the relevant household size income and that meet the definition of socially disadvantaged.
• Priority 4 – Homeowners with annualized current income of no more than 150% of county area median income (AMI) for the relevant household size income.

PAHAF will not accept applications in Priority 4 until such time that it has been demonstrated that the program can comply with the 60% spend threshold for households at or below 100% AMI.

PHFA reserves the right to serve applicants out of priority sequence to maintain efficiency in application processing. Such gains in efficiency benefit all applicants, as the nature of homeowner need is extremely time sensitive.

For the HAF Program, a socially disadvantaged individual is defined as someone whose ability to purchase or own a home has been impaired due to diminished access to credit on reasonable terms as compared to others in comparable economic circumstances, based on disparities in homeownership rates in the HAF participant’s jurisdiction as documented by the U.S. Census.

The diminished access to credit must stem from circumstances beyond their control. Indicators of impairment under the U.S. Treasury definition may include being a (1) member of a group that has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society, (2) resident of a majority-minor Census tract; (3) individual 3 with limited English proficiency; (4) resident of a U.S. territory, Indian reservation, or Hawaiian Home Loan, or (5) individual who lives in a persistent-poverty county, meaning any county that has had 20% or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years as measured by the three most recent decennial censuses.

For purposes of PAHAF, if the applicant or a member of the applicant’s household receives income as a result of a disability, the applicant and applicant’s household will be considered socially disadvantaged.

PAHAF will work with an applicant with non-traditional income, including self-attestation of income. Supporting documents such as paystubs, W-2s, 1040’s, 1099s and other wage statements may also be used. In addition, the Program will accept employer attestations as a supporting document for income verification.

Yes. Homeowner(s) who are in active bankruptcy must provide proof of court or trustee approval to participate in the Program.

You may still be eligible for assistance, although you will need to prove your ownership interest in the property. You may seek assistance with obtaining proof of ownership through a legal service provider. Click here for the list of PAHAF Legal Service Partner Agencies, or work with your own attorney.

Facing Act 91 or foreclosure does not disqualify you for assistance. You may still be eligible if you meet all other Program eligibility requirements. If you need immediate assistance, please contact a housing counselor or legal aid in your area. Click here to find available housing counselors. For legal services, click here.

You may still be eligible for assistance. When PAHAF launches, applications will be processed as quickly as possible once all documentation is submitted, although a payment timeframe cannot be guaranteed to qualified homeowners.

The PAHAF application portal will be accessible online and via mobile device, Homeowners who may require additional assistance in completing the application will also be able to contact the PAHAF Call Center, a participating housing counseling agency or legal services provider for assistance.

Once the Program launches, homeowners can call the PAHAF Call Center for assistance in completing the application, as well as a participating Housing Counseling and Legal Service Partner Agencies.

No, the Program will pay your mortgage servicer, utility company, local municipality, etc.  directly. Applicants will be notified of the amount of assistance to be disbursed on the homeowner’s behalf.

No. There is no cost to apply.

Treasury guidance requires that the original, unpaid principal balance of the homeowner’s first mortgage or home loan not be greater than the conforming loan limits in effect at time of loan origination. Conforming loan limits are established by the federal government.

The maximum amount of assistance for any homeowner under the PAHAF is currently $30,000 or up to 24 months of assistance. For homeowners without a mortgage, the maximum allowance for delinquent property taxes is 24 months of assistance or $5,000, whichever is less; for reverse mortgage insurance premiums, 24 months of assistance or $3,000, whichever is less; and for homeowner/condominium fees, 24 months of assistance or $5,000, whichever is less. For homeowners with a mortgage whose property charges are not in escrow, the same limits apply; however, this assistance will only be made available if there is remaining funding under the maximum $30,000/24 month cap after reinstatement and/or mortgage payment assistance have been provided.

No. PAHAF is structured as a non-recourse grant with no repayment terms. However, PAHAF funds are recoverable in the event of fraud or overpayment, and all applicants must certify during the PAHAF application process that they will not accept assistance from any other federal, state, local, or tribal program for the same expenses.

The U.S. Treasury has provided guidance that HAF funds are not a taxable benefit.  PAHAF cannot provide advice on these matters.  It is the responsibility of the homeowner to seek tax advice from professional financial or tax service providers.