Time running out to apply for COVID-19 relief funds; ‘People need … – Chicago Tribune

A significant number of Lake County residents continue to feel the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving them behind with mortgage payments or even facing foreclosure.

Help continues to be available through the Illinois Housing Development Authoritys federally funded Illinois Homeowners Assistance Fund, but there are only days left to apply.

People must apply online to the housing authority for help from the Homeowners Assistance Fund by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday to receive up to $60,000 in assistance with a delinquent mortgage, property taxes or homeowners organization payments.

Andrew Field, the housing authoritys deputy director of communications, said the program started over three years ago with approximately $270 million in federal funds when lots of people were dealing with economic hardships because of COVID-19.

Though the incidences of the disease have eased, Field said people did not have to make payments when there was a moratorium, but that is over. Others had forbearance agreements with lenders. They are now short of funds to bring their loans current.

Those forbearance agreements are coming due, and they still cant pay them, Field said, For them, foreclosure is a real possibility.

Ofelia Navarro, the deputy director of the Lake County Housing Authority, said she knows of close to 30 people with applications pending that were filed through her organization. For them, the impact of the pandemic is still very real.

People continue to get COVID-19 and expenses can mount because of it. Navarro said there are people who are going through foreclosure because they fell behind on payments since their income never returned to pre-pandemic levels.

There are a lot of seniors applying, Navarro said. Theyre not retired, but theyre not making as much money as they did. Some are retired, but the cost of living is high and going up more than their pension or Social Security.

Self-employed people also incurred financial setbacks during the pandemic. Navarro said they, too, have not been able to retire the debts they incurred at the time. Now their mortgage is becoming a challenge.

People need help in Lake County like Ive never seen before, Navarro said. Its huge, and impacting their mortgage payments. They can call us, or come to our office, and well help them.

Field said people behind on a mortgage, property taxes or condominium homeowner association fees because of a COVID-19 related situation are eligible for up to $60,000 in relief. They must earn less than 150% of the areas median income.

For a family of four, Field said the annual income must be less than $165,450, $132,400 for a couple and $115,850 for an individual.

Navarro urges those with an issue on their mortgage, real estate taxes or homeowner association assessments not to delay. As long as the application is filed before the deadline, the applicants request will be evaluated.

Get in there and apply, Navarro said. Do it before the application deadline. You know what can happen at the last minute with a lot of people trying to get online at the same time.

Most of the $270 million has been disbursed, but just under $20 million remains in the fund to help homeowners. While an individual can receive up to $60,000, Field said the average disbursement is around $18,000. Payments go directly to the lender, the tax collector or homeowners association.

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Time running out to apply for COVID-19 relief funds; 'People need ... - Chicago Tribune