Florida HAF Plan 

– 1 –

MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

 

1. Program Overview The Florida Mortgage Assistance Program will assist in preserving 

homeownership and creating housing stability by preventing 

foreclosure and displacement through the Homeowner Assistance 

Fund.

For income qualified, eligible homeowners, the Mortgage 

Assistance Program will do so by curing arrearages on their first and 

subordinate mortgage loans, down payment assistance loans, 

manufactured home loans, escrow accounts (which may also 

include payments needed to reinstate their loans from foreclosure 

or deferred payments) and homeowner insurance policies, flood 

insurance policies and property taxes (without duplication). In 

addition, for income qualified, eligible homeowners, the Mortgage 

Assistance Program will pay all or a portion of future interest on and 

principal of first mortgages, subordinate mortgages, manufactured 

home loans, down payment loans, escrow payments, homeowner 

and flood insurance policy premiums and property taxes for up to 

18 months (without duplication).

2. Mortgage 

Assistance 

Program Goals 

To provide financial assistance to eligible Florida homeowners to 

prevent foreclosure and displacement, therefore preserving 

homeownership and providing housing stability to Floridians in 

need.

3. Targeted 

Population of 

Homeowners 

Based on the data-driven assessment of homeowner needs, DEO 

will strategically target Florida homeowners whose household 

income is less than or equal to 100 percent of the area median 

income or the median income in the United States, whichever is 

greater, and Socially Disadvantaged Individuals.

4. Eligible 

Homeowners 

“Eligible Homeowners” for the Mortgage Assistance Program must 

satisfy the following criteria:

• The homeowner must have experienced a Qualified 

Financial Hardship after January 21, 2020 (including a hardship that 

began before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date), and 

provide an attestation, describing the nature of the financial 

hardship.

• The homeowner must currently own and occupy the 

property as their primary residence.

• The homeowner must meet the Homeowner Income 

Eligibility Requirements for the household.
Florida HAF Plan 

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• The homeowner must complete and sign qualifying 

hardship affidavit/attestation, application, terms of service, 

consent forms, and any other documentation required by DEO.

• The homeowner must provide all necessary documentation 

to satisfy program guidelines within timeframes established by 

DEO, including self-certification or attestation of income and 

Socially Disadvantaged Individual status, as applicable.

• Co-owners may not separately apply for program 

assistance.

5. Eligible Legal 

Ownership 

Structures 

“Eligible Legal Ownership Structures” include only the following:

• Those where the home is owned exclusively by one or more 

natural persons; or 

• Those where the homeowner has transferred their 

ownership right into non-incorporated, revocable living trust and

the homeowner occupies the home as their primary/principal 

residence.

6. Qualified Financial 

Hardship 

A “Qualified Financial Hardship” is a material reduction in income 

or material increase in living expenses associated with the 

coronavirus pandemic that has created or increased a risk of 

mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure, loss of 

utilities or home energy services, or displacement for a homeowner 

(including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but 

continued after that date).

• Reduction of Income – Documented temporary or 

permanent loss of earned income directly related to the 

coronavirus pandemic after January 21, 2020 (e.g., job loss or 

reduction in working hours).

• Increase in living expenses – Documented increase in outof-pocket household expenses directly related to the coronavirus 

pandemic after January 21, 2020 (e.g., increased costs to care for a 

family member).

7. Homeowner 

Income Eligibility 

Requirements 

To be eligible for assistance under the Mortgage Assistance

Program, homeowners must have incomes that are less than or 

equal to 150 percent of the area median income or 100 percent of 

the median income in the United States, whichever is greater.
Florida HAF Plan 

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8. Homeowner 

Prioritization 

DEO will prioritize funding to the following populations:

• At least 70% of the financial assistance made available 

under the programs in the Plan (including the Mortgage Assistance

Program) will be, in the aggregate, used for qualified expenses for 

homeowners whose incomes are less than or equal to 100 percent 

of the area median income or the median income in the United 

States, whichever is greater.

• Amounts not made available to homeowners who meet the 

above income-targeting requirement will be prioritized for 

assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Individuals. 

All remaining funds not otherwise prioritized will be made available 

for other Eligible Homeowners.

9. Eligible Properties “Eligible Properties” are residential properties that are located in 

Florida, which are:

• Single-family (attached or detached) properties;

• Condominium units;

• One to four-unit properties where the homeowner is living 

in one of the units as their primary residence;

• Manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property 

and taxed as real estate; or

• Mobile homes not permanently affixed to real property. 

Ineligible residential properties include:

• Vacant or abandoned residences;

• Second homes; and

• Investment properties.

10. Eligible Uses of 

Mortgage 

Assistance 

Program Proceeds 

The following housing obligations are eligible for payment under 

the Mortgage Assistance Program:

• First mortgage loan payment(s) (principal, interest and late 

fees and charges);

• Subordinate mortgage loan payment(s) (principal, interest 

and late fees and charges);
Florida HAF Plan 

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• Manufactured/mobile home loan payment(s) (principal, 

interest and late fees and charges);

• Down payment assistance loan payment(s) (principal, 

interest and late fees and charges);

• Escrow payments;

• Property taxes (including late fees and charges);

• Homeowner insurance premiums (including late fees and 

charges); and

• Flood insurance premiums (including late fees and 

charges).

11. Maximum Per 

Household 

Mortgage 

Assistance 

Program 

Assistance 

 

The maximum Mortgage Assistance Program financial assistance 

per household will be $50,000 and the maximum HAF assistance 

per household will be $50,000 (inclusive of Mortgage Assistance

Program financial assistance).

12. Assistance Type The financial assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant.

13. Payout of 

Mortgage 

Assistance 

Program 

Assistance 

DEO will disburse Mortgage Assistance Program payments for 

mortgage loans, manufactured home loans, down payment 

assistance loans and escrow account payments (including 

applicable late charges and fees) directly to lenders or loan 

servicers. DEO will disburse the amount quoted by the 

lender/servicer and any discrepancies will be required to be 

resolved by the homeowner and lender/servicer.

To the extent not otherwise escrowed, DEO will disburse Mortgage 

Assistance Program payments for property taxes to the applicable 

tax collector and insurance policy premiums (including applicable 

late charges and fees) to the applicable insurance company. DEO 

will disburse the amount quoted by the tax collector or insurer and 

any discrepancies will be required to be resolved by the 

homeowner and tax collector or insurer.

14. Program Launch Pending approval by Treasury, DEO is endeavoring to launch the 

program to the public statewide in the first quarter of 2022.
Florida HAF Plan 

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15. Required 

Application 

Documents 

The following documents may be required:

• Application;

• Borrower consent form;

• Terms of Service; 

• Qualifying written hardship attestation identifying and 

certifying the eligible hardship and that it occurred after January 21, 

2020 (including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but 

continued after that date);

• If the eligible property is located in a census tract in which 

the median income satisfies the median income requirements of 

the Mortgage Assistance Program, then a qualifying written income 

attestation certifying the homeowner’s household income;

• If the eligible property is not located in a census tract in 

which the median income satisfies the median income 

requirements of the Mortgage Assistance Program, then a 

qualifying written income attestation certifying the homeowner’s 

household income together with supporting documentation (e.g., 

paystubs, W2s or other wage statements, IRS Form 1099s, tax 

filings, depository institution statements demonstrating regular 

income, or an attestation from an employer);

• Attestation that the homeowner is a “Socially 

Disadvantaged Individual” (if applicable);

• Mortgage statement for each loan (e.g., first mortgage, 

second mortgage, etc.);

• Manufactured/mobile home loan statement;

• Down payment assistance loan statement;

• An updated escrow statement (if applicable);

• An updated property tax statement (to the extent not 

escrowed or otherwise readily available); 

• An updated homeowner insurance policy statement (to the 

extent not escrowed); 

• An updated flood insurance policy statement (to the extent 

not escrowed); 
Florida HAF Plan 

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• Social security number card or unique identifier as shown 

on a legal document, such as a federal tax return; 

• Payee’s contact and account information if not listed on 

monthly statement; and 

• Any additional documents and information that DEO may 

require.

16. Program Partner 

Requirements 

Lenders/servicers may be required to agree to communicate using 

the Common Data File (CDF).

Private non-mortgage lenders, including manufactured/mobile 

home lenders, homeowner and flood insurers and tax collectors 

may be required to provide a written account statement, contact 

information, and/or ACH account information.

 

 
Florida HAF Plan 

– 7 – 

UTILITY, INTERNET SERVICE AND HOA FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

 

1. Program Overview The Florida Utility, Internet Service and Homeowner Association 

(HOA) Fee Assistance Program will assist in preserving 

homeownership and creating housing stability by preventing 

foreclosure and displacement through the Homeowner Assistance 

Fund.

The Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program will 

do so by providing financial assistance for income-qualified, eligible 

homeowners to assist in making delinquent utility payments

(including electric, gas, home heating oil, water, and sewer), 

internet service payments, and HOA fees (including HOA fees 

necessary to satisfy liens).

For income qualified, eligible homeowners, the Utility, Internet 

Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program may also pay all or a 

portion of future utility payments, internet service payments, and 

HOA fees for up to 18 months.

2. Utility, Internet 

Service and HOA 

Fee Assistance 

Program Goals 

The goal of the Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Program is to 

provide financial assistance to eligible Florida homeowners to bring 

utility accounts, internet service accounts, and HOA fees current 

and to help pay all or a portion of such expenses of homeownership 

in the future to prevent foreclosure and displacement, therefore 

preserving homeownership and providing housing stability to 

Floridians in need.

3. Targeted 

Population of 

Homeowners 

Based on the data-driven assessment of homeowner needs, DEO 

will strategically target Florida homeowners whose income is less 

than or equal to 100 percent of the area median income or the 

median income in the United States, whichever is greater, and 

Socially Disadvantaged Individuals.

4. Eligible 

Homeowners 

“Eligible Homeowners” for the Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee

Assistance Program must satisfy the following criteria:

• The homeowner must have experienced a Qualified 

Financial Hardship after January 21, 2020 (including a hardship that 

began before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date), and 

provide an attestation, describing the nature of the financial 

hardship.

• The homeowner must currently own and occupy the 

property as their primary residence.
Florida HAF Plan 

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• The homeowner must meet the Homeowner Income 

Eligibility Requirements for the household.

• The homeowner must complete and sign qualifying 

hardship affidavit/attestation, application, terms of service, 

consent forms, and any other documentation required by DEO.

• The homeowner must provide all necessary documentation 

to satisfy program guidelines within timeframes established by 

DEO, including self-certification or attestation of income and 

Socially Disadvantaged Individual status, as applicable.

• Co-owners may not separately apply for program 

assistance.

5. Eligible Legal 

Ownership 

Structures 

“Eligible Legal Ownership Structures” include only the following:

• Those where the home is owned exclusively by one or more 

natural persons; or 

• Those where the homeowner has transferred their 

ownership right into non-incorporated, revocable living trust and

the homeowner occupies the home as their primary/principal 

residence.

6. Qualified Financial 

Hardship 

A “Qualified Financial Hardship” is a material reduction in income 

or material increase in living expenses associated with the 

coronavirus pandemic that has created or increased a risk of 

mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure, loss of 

utilities or home energy services, or displacement for a homeowner 

(including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but 

continued after that date).

• Reduction of Income – Documented temporary or 

permanent loss of earned income directly related to the 

coronavirus pandemic after January 21, 2020 (e.g., job loss or 

reduction in working hours).

• Increase in living expenses – Documented increase in outof-pocket household expenses directly related to the coronavirus 

pandemic after January 21, 2020 (e.g., increased costs to care for a 

family member).
Florida HAF Plan 

– 9 – 

7. Homeowner 

Income Eligibility 

Requirements 

To be eligible for assistance under the Utility, Internet Service and 

HOA Fee Assistance Program, homeowners must have incomes that 

are less than or equal to 150 percent of the area median income or 

100 percent of the median income in the United States, whichever 

is greater.

8. Homeowner 

Prioritization 

DEO will prioritize funding to the following populations:

• At least 70% of the financial assistance made available 

under the programs in the Plan (including the Utility, Internet 

Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program) will be, in the aggregate, 

used for qualified expenses for homeowners whose incomes are 

less than or equal to 100 percent of the area median income or the 

median income in the United States, whichever is greater.

• Amounts not made available to homeowners who meet the 

above income-targeting requirement will be prioritized for 

assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Individuals. 

All remaining funds not otherwise prioritized will be made available 

for other Eligible Homeowners.

9. Eligible Properties “Eligible Properties” are residential properties that are located in 

Florida, which are:

• Single-family (attached or detached) properties;

• Condominium units;

• One to four-unit properties where the homeowner is living 

in one of the units as their primary residence;

• Manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property 

and taxed as real estate; or

• Mobile homes not permanently affixed to real property. 

Ineligible residential properties include:

• Vacant or abandoned residences;

• Second homes; and

• Investment properties.
Florida HAF Plan 

– 10 – 

10. Eligible Uses of 

Utility, Internet 

Service and HOA 

Fee Assistance 

Program Proceeds 

Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee payments, including electric, 

gas, home heating oil, water, and sewer, are eligible uses of the 

Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program.

The following housing obligations are eligible for payment under 

the Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Program:

• Electric, gas, home heating oil, water, and sewer

payment(s) (including any late fees and charges);

• Internet service payment(s) (including any late fees and 

charges); and

• HOA fee payment(s) (including any late fees and charges).

11. Maximum Per 

Household Utility, 

Internet Service 

and HOA Fee 

Assistance 

Program 

Assistance 

The maximum Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance 

Program financial assistance per household will be $35,000 and the 

maximum HAF assistance per household will be $50,000 (inclusive 

of Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program 

financial assistance).

12. Assistance Type The financial assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant.

13. Payout of HAF 

Assistance 

DEO will disburse Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance 

Program payments directly to the utility service providers(including 

electric, gas, home heating oil, water, and sewer service providers), 

internet service providers, and HOAs (or the applicable 

management company on behalf of the HOA).

DEO will disburse the amount quoted by the utility service provider, 

internet service provider, or HOA and any discrepancies will be 

required to be resolved by the homeowner and the utility service 

provider, internet service provider, or HOA, as applicable.

14. Program Launch Pending approval by Treasury, DEO is endeavoring to launch the 

program to the public statewide in the first quarter of 2022.

15. Required 

Application 

Documents 

The following documents may be required:

• Application;

• Consent form;

• Terms of Service; 
Florida HAF Plan 

– 11 – 

• Qualifying written hardship attestation identifying and 

certifying the eligible hardship and that it occurred after January 21, 

2020 (including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but 

continued after that date);

• If the eligible property is located in a census tract in which 

the median income satisfies the median income requirements of 

the Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee Assistance Program, then 

a qualifying written income attestation certifying the homeowner’s 

household income;

• If the eligible property is not located in a census tract in 

which the median income satisfies the median income 

requirements of the Utility, Internet Service and HOA Fee

Assistance Program, then a qualifying written income attestation 

certifying the homeowner’s household income together with 

supporting documentation (e.g., paystubs, W2s or other wage 

statements, IRS Form 1099s, tax filings, depository institution 

statements demonstrating regular income, or an attestation from 

an employer);

• Attestation that the homeowner is a “Socially 

Disadvantaged Individual” (if applicable);

• An updated utility account statement, internet service 

account statement and/or HOA fee account statement, as 

applicable; 

• Social security number card or unique identifier as shown 

on a legal document, such as a federal tax return; and 

• Any additional documents and information that DEO may 

require.

16. Program Partner 

Requirements 

Utility service providers, internet service providers, and HOAs may 

be required to provide a written account statement, contact 

information, and/or ACH account information.

 

 
Florida HAF Plan 

– 12 – 

HOUSING COUNSELING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM 

 

1. Program Overview The Florida Housing Counseling and Education Program will assist 

in preserving homeownership and creating housing stability by 

preventing foreclosure and displacement through the Homeowner 

Assistance Fund.

The Housing Counseling and Education Program will do so by 

providing housing counseling and education through housing 

counseling agencies certified by the US Department of Housing and 

Urban Development for income-qualified, eligible homeowners.

2. Housing 

Counseling and 

Education Program 

Goals 

To provide housing counseling and educational services to eligible 

Florida homeowners to help to preserve homeownership and 

provide housing stability to Floridians in need.

3. Targeted 

Population of 

Homeowners 

Based on the data-driven assessment of homeowner needs, DEO 

will strategically target Florida homeowners whose income is less 

than or equal to 100 percent of the area median income or the 

median income in the United States, whichever is greater, and 

Socially Disadvantaged Individuals.

4. Homeowner 

Income Eligibility 

Requirements 

To be eligible for assistance under the Housing Counseling and 

Education Program, homeowners must have incomes that are less 

than or equal to 150 percent of the area median income or 100 

percent of the median income in the United States, whichever is 

greater.

5. Payout of HAF 

Assistance 

DEO will disburse Housing Counseling and Education Program

payments to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies in 

consideration for services rendered under the Housing Counseling 

and Education Program.

6. Program Launch Pending approval by Treasury, DEO is endeavoring to launch the 

program to the public statewide in the first quarter of 2022.