by Robin Kemp
Congressman David Scott (D-13) says he has secured $354 million for Georgians who need help with mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and past-due utilities because of COVID-19.
Under H.R. 1710, the Georgia Homeowner Assistance Fund was included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act signed into law last year. The $10 billion act helped states “launch robust Homeowner Assistance Programs as a core part of the nation’s COVID-19 relief response,” according to a press release from Scott’s office.
Scott credited Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn, who is in charge of the funding, for helping with the effort.
“For millions across the country and thousands right here in metro Atlanta struggling to make ends meet and stay afloat on their mortgage payments due to COVID-19, help is here,” Scott saidi in a press release. “Over the past few months, I have worked closely alongside Commissioner Christopher Nunn and community partners to connect Georgia homeowners in crisis with their share of the $10 billion Homeownership Assistance Fund I secured in the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan. With today’s launch of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ new homeowners’ assistance portal, thanks to our federal-state collaboration, Georgia’s working and middle-class homeowners who had a stroke of bad luck last year due to COVID-19 will be able to remain in the communities they love.”
Nunn added, “We are excited to announce this fund. As the state’s housing agency, DCA is responsible for a myriad of affordable statewide housing programs, including the housing choice voucher program, development of affordable housing using tax credits, and the Georgia Dream program which has helped 7,050 first-time homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership. Modeled on federal guidelines and similarly aligned with a program that DCA administered following the Great Recession, this program will target what our data suggest is approximately 2.8% of Georgians or more than 35,000 households that are more than 90 days delinquent on their mortgage payments.”
Scott urged his constituents to call Cherrie Smalls, who is constituent cervices and community field representative at his district office, at (770) 210-5073 for assistance.
Homeowners who need help also can apply online at georgiamortgageassistance.ga.
- a driver’s license
- a mortgage statement
- tax returns and/or income verification documents
For more information, call the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at (877) 519-4443 or e-mail haf@dca.ga.gov .
