Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 1

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

Submitted Revised effective March 8, 2023

1. Past-Due Payment Relief Program Terms (Reinstatement)

2. Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms

Past-Due Payment Relief Program (Reinstatement)

Program Overview The HAF program was established under Section 3206 of the American 

Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP) to mitigate financial hardships associated 

with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to eligible entities for the 

purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, 

foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of 

homeowners. Between ARP and these terms, ARP will control unless an 

exception or deviation has been approved by the U.S. Department of the 

Treasury (Treasury), including by approval of these program terms.

Brief Description Provide funds to eliminate past due payments and other delinquent amounts, 

including payments under a forbearance plan, on forward mortgages, reverse 

mortgages, loans secured by manufactured homes, or contracts for deed.

HAF funds may be used to bring accounts current where payments are due 

for, or were advanced to cover, Eligible Costs. In participating counties, 

funds may also be used to pay Eligible Costs under the county tax 

foreclosure repurchase programs to restore the homeowner to title ownership 

and eliminate delinquent taxes.

Size of HAF Past-Due 

Payment Relief

Program

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) may utilize up to the full 

amount of its requested allocation for this program in its U.S. Treasury 

submission. The actual allocation will be dependent on reception and success 

of this program. 

Eligible Homeowners Eligible Homeowners (Homeowners) for Oregon’s HAF Past-Due 

Payment Relief Program must meet the following criteria:

• Homeowner must attest that they experienced a Qualified Financial 

Hardship after January 21, 2020, including a hardship that began 

before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date. The 

attestation must state the nature of the financial hardship.

• The Eligible Property must be the homeowner’s primary residence

pursuant to the program manual requirements. 

• Homeowner must meet the Homeowner Income Eligibility 

Requirements.

• Homeowner must agree to provide all necessary information,

documentation, and/or attestations to satisfy program guidelines 

within timeframes established by OHCS. 

• The original, unpaid principal balance of the homeowner’s first 

mortgage or housing loan, at the time of origination, was not 

greater than the conforming loan limits in effect at time of 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 2

origination.

Eligible Homeowners must be able to pay their ongoing housing costs, 

which will be confirmed if 1) attested by the homeowner, 2) confirmed by 

a housing counselor, or 3) shown by calculation of housing costs and 

income on the application. If applicants cannot pay their ongoing housing 

costs, they must be approved for the HAF Ongoing Payment Relief

program to also receive reinstatement assistance under this program.

Program Exclusions:

• Co-owners and/or Co-borrowers are not permitted to separately 

apply for HAF Program assistance, subject to terms and exceptions 

in program manuals.

• Applicants who have sufficient liquid assets to cure their 

delinquency and reinstate their loan are not eligible. 

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.

Homeowner

Income Eligibility 

Requirements

Homeowners must have household income at or below 150% of the AMI for 

household size or 100% of the median income for the United States, 

whichever is greater.

Homeowner 

Prioritization

OHCS will prioritize funding to the following populations in the application 

process: 

▪ Eligible Homeowners the most at risk of foreclosure or 

displacement will be the program’s first priority.

▪

▪ Amounts not made available to homeowners having incomes 

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

or less than 100% of the median income for the United States, 

whichever is greater, will be targeted to assist Socially 

Disadvantaged Individuals (as defined and required by the 

Treasury).

▪ OHCS will also target funds for homeowners in rural areas.

▪ All remaining funds not otherwise prioritized will be made 

available for other Eligible Homeowners. 

Eligible Properties “Eligible Properties” are those that are:

• Single-family (attached or detached) properties including floating 

homes.

• Condominium units 

• 1 to 4-unit properties where one unit is the homeowner’s primary 

residence. 

• Manufactured or mobile homes, whether secured by traditional or 

chattel loans (real or personal property).

• Cooperatives.

• Community land trust homes or homes on leased land.

• Homes owned by Land Contracts.

• Homes owned by Oregon counties where the immediately prior 

homeowner retains a contingent statutory interest and the county 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 3

participates in the Past-Due Payment Relief program

• Vacant properties (or units), in the above categories, where the 

homeowner was displaced by a physical hazard event, casualty loss, 

or natural disaster and the property was the homeowner’s primary 

residence at the time of the mortgage origination and loss event.

“Ineligible properties”: 

• Vacant or abandoned land or homes, where the vacancy is not the 

result of a physical hazard event, casualty loss, or natural disaster. 

• Second or vacation homes.

• Investment property that is not the homeowner’s primary residence.

• Mobile homes with no title certificate or statement of ownership in 

the homeowner’s name. 

Eligible Costs HAF funds may be used for a homeowner’s delinquent, deferred, or 

advanced housing costs, including: 

• Existing first Mortgage payments (principal and interest) and escrow 

shortages.

• Subordinate Mortgage payments (P&I), if the mortgage creates a 

risk of foreclosure as defined in the program manuals.

• Land Contract payments (P&I).

• Manufactured/mobile home loan payments (P&I) and lot rent, if 

applicable.

• Floating home loan payments (P&I) and moorage fees, if applicable 

• Homeowner’s association fees, condominium association fees, 

cooperative maintenance fees, planned unit development fees, or 

other common charges, including for lien extinguishment.

• Ground lease, cooperative, or land trust charges.

• Homeowner’s insurance and/or mortgage insurance. Insurance 

assistance will only be provided if insurance payments are included 

in escrow payments. OHCS will not enroll or pay insurance 

companies directly.

• Property taxes, including lien extinguishment. OHCS will not pay 

current year tax assessments; Homeowners must owe at least two 

years of tax assessments for the Past-Due Payment Relief program.

• For approved county tax foreclosure repurchase programs, property 

taxes, interest, penalties, and related costs of county ownership, 

municipal lien extinguishment, and deed transfers.

• Related third-party fees or incidental housing related costs, pursuant 

to OHCS program manuals.

“Mortgage” shall have the same definition as in the HAF Treasury guidance 

document and any subsequent revisions. Program Manuals will control 

Eligible Cost determinations.

HAF Assistance Caps 

or Limits

With respect to the applicant’s primary residence, including a dwelling to be 

made habitable so it may serve as the homeowner’s primary residence, each 

homeowner will be eligible for up to $50,000 through this program.
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 4

Each homeowner is eligible for up to $60,000 maximum between the PastDue Payment Relief Program and the Ongoing Payment Relief Assistance 

Program. 

Assistance Type Assistance will be structured as a five-year (from the date of the final 

assistance payment), non-recourse, zero percent, forgivable, non-amortizing 

loan for which a junior lien will be recorded against the property, or a 

security interest will be recorded against the home. This lien will have 

subordination requirements to protect the interests of OHCS and the 

homeowner. Pursuant to the loan terms, at the time of the payoff or release, 

an equal portion of the loan may be forgiven over the loan term unless a 

homeowner commits fraud or breaches the loan agreement. If the property is 

sold or a cash out refinance is completed prior to the loan termination date, 

the Program will recover funds to the extent that sufficient equity is available 

from the transaction. The program shall recycle these recovered funds to 

provide additional program assistance in accordance with the agreement.

Payout of HAF 

Assistance

OHCS will disburse HAF assistance directly to mortgage lender/servicer, 

land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender/park (lot fees), 

floating home association/lender/park (moorage fees), county treasurer or 

local taxing authority, condominium/homeowners’ association, cooperative 

board, or management company, insurance company, and/or other thirdparty payee authorized to collect eligible charges. 

OHCS reserves the right to disburse the amount quoted by or negotiated 

with the recipient; any discrepancies to be resolved by the homeowner and 

recipient. 

Program Launch OHCS launched its pilot program in November 2021. OHCS is opening its 

program in phases; please see the program website for additional 

information. 

Program Duration The period of performance for this program begins upon Treasury

approval of this program and ends on September 30, 2026, subject to 

later extensions or funding. 

To the extent permitted after this program’s duration, OHCS plans to 

use non-recourse loans so that any funds returned to OHCS will be 

recycled and utilized for further disbursements and administrative costs 

until otherwise depleted. 

Application Process The application will be designed to be easily accessible. OHCS and its 

partners will design the application to meet the eligibility and 

compliance requirements while reducing the documentation burden to 

the applicant as directed by Treasury. OHCS will be accepting 

applications via multiple methods online and statewide so as to 

alleviate as many barriers as possible for the applicant.

Application 

Documents

The following information, documentation, and/or attestation will be 

requested:

• Hardship attestation related to a Qualified Financial Hardship, 

incorporated as a prequalification question and application signature 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 5

attestation. 

• Third Party Authorization (TPA) and Disclosure Form.

• Attestation or documentation related to income and Eligible Costs, 

including without limitation mortgages, HOA obligations, property 

taxes, insurance charges, and others that meet the program’s 

verification requirements or exceptions.

• Other verification documents if required under the program’s 

verification requirements or exceptions.

Program manuals will control the information, documentation, and/or 

attestations required with regard to each application.

Eligibility 

Determination and 

Quality Control

OHCS partners or staff will summarize determination of the applicant’s 

eligibility and status in case notes. The summary will include applicable 

details to support the decision to approve, deny, or take other action with 

respect to an application submitted. OHCS partners and staff will have in 

place quality control oversight and processes to review a certain percentage 

of denials or certain categories of denials.

Recipient

Requirements

Program fund recipients must enter into a collaboration agreement, MOU, or 

agree to the program standard terms if required by OHCS. Each must 

communicate using the Common Data File (CDF), a secure electronic portal, 

using secure email, or other secure communication method. Each must 

provide written, itemized quotes for Eligible Costs, contact information, 

payment information (such as ACH), any required tax information, and any 

other information necessary to verify and document an applicant’s file.

Program manuals will control recipient requirements and participation.

Program Exclusions • Ineligible homeowners, loans, liens, or properties, including due to 

nonparticipation of servicer or other recipient.

• Non-delinquent mortgages.

• The borrower’s mortgage paid through HAF funds cannot be an 

open home equity line of credit.

• HAF funds are intended to assist homeowners with arms-length 

consumer transactions. OHCS will not provide HAF assistance for 

loans between family members or other close relationships.

• If a homeowner is only seeking assistance with property taxes, they 

must be due for two or more years on property taxes to qualify for 

assistance.

Program Interactions 

with Other Programs

• The Past-Due Payment Relief Program will operate in conjunction 

with the Ongoing Payment Relief Assistance Program. 

• The program cannot fund the same Eligible Costs for the same 

months as any benefit or assistance payments received from any 

rental assistance programs, local mortgage or housing payment 

assistance programs (e.g., Salem House Authority, 

Portland/Multnomah County), tribal housing programs, or other 

ARPA or Cares Act programs.

• Homeowners may only receive Past-Due Payment Relief Program 

assistance once, whether in the pilot or main program.
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 6

Ongoing Payment Relief Program 

Program Overview The HAF program was established under Section 3206 of the American 

Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP) to mitigate financial hardships associated 

with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to eligible entities for the 

purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, 

foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of 

homeowners. Between ARP and these terms, ARP will control unless an 

exception or deviation has been approved by the US Department of the 

Treasury (Treasury), including by approval of these program terms. 

Brief Description Provide full or partial payment assistance with Eligible Costs for a period up 

to 6 months or until $10,000 in assistance has been provided. The Ongoing 

Payment Relief program is a one-time benefit.

Size of HAF Ongoing 

Payment Relief

Program

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) may utilize up to the full 

amount of its requested allocation for this program in its U.S. Treasury 

submission. The actual allocation will be dependent on reception and success 

of this program. 

Eligible Homeowners Eligible Homeowners (Homeowners) for Oregon’s HAF Ongoing 

Payment Relief Program must meet the following criteria:

• Homeowner must attest that they experienced a Qualified Financial 

Hardship after January 21, 2020, including a hardship that began 

before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date. The 

attestation must state the nature of the financial hardship.

• The Eligible Property must be the homeowner’s primary residence

pursuant to the program manual requirements. 

• Homeowner must meet the Homeowner Income Eligibility 

Requirements.

• Homeowner must agree to provide all necessary information,

documentation, and/or attestations to satisfy program guidelines 

within timeframes established by OHCS. 

• The original, unpaid principal balance of the homeowner’s first 

mortgage or housing loan, at the time of origination, was not 

greater than the conforming loan limits in effect at time of 

origination.

• Homeowners must certify or attest to occupancy and income every 

three months after initial funding. If they do not re-certify or attest, 

or if they no longer meet program requirements, the homeowner 

will cease to be an Eligible Homeowner.

Program Exclusions:

• Co-owners and/or Co-borrowers are not permitted to separately 

apply for HAF Program assistance, subject to terms and exceptions 

in program manuals. 

• Applicants who have sufficient liquid assets to cover nine months of 

their housing costs are not eligible.

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 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 7

displacement for a homeowner.

Homeowner

Income Eligibility 

Requirements

Homeowners must have household income at or below 100% of the AMI for 

household size or 100% of the median income for the United States, 

whichever is greater. 

Homeowner 

Prioritization

OHCS will prioritize funding to the following populations in the application 

process: 

▪ Eligible Homeowners the most at risk of foreclosure or 

displacement will be the program’s first priority. 

▪ OHCS will also target funds for homeowners in rural areas.

▪ All remaining funds not otherwise prioritized will be made 

available for other Eligible Homeowners.

Eligible Properties “Eligible Properties” are those that are:

• Single-family (attached or detached) properties including floating 

homes.

• Condominium units 

• 1 to 4-unit properties where one unit is the homeowner’s primary 

residence. 

• Manufactured or mobile homes, whether secured by traditional or 

chattel loans (real or personal property).

• Cooperatives.

• Community land trust homes or homes on leased land.

• Homes owned by Land Contracts.

• Vacant properties (or units), in the above categories, where the 

homeowner was displaced by a physical hazard event, casualty loss, 

or natural disaster and the property was the homeowner’s primary 

residence at the time of the mortgage origination and loss event

“Ineligible properties”: 

• Vacant or abandoned land or homes, where the vacancy is not the 

result of a physical hazard event, casualty loss, or natural disaster. 

• Second or vacation homes.

• Investment property that is not the homeowner’s primary residence.

• Manufactured or mobile homes with no title certificate or statement 

of ownership in the homeowner’s name. 

Eligible Costs HAF funds may be used for, subject to final determination in program 

manuals:

• Existing first Mortgage payments (principal and interest) and 

monthly escrow charges.

• Subordinate amortized and due Mortgage payments (P&I) 

• Land Contract payments (P&I) 

• Manufactured/mobile home loan payments (P&I) and lot rent, if 

applicable 

• Floating home loan payments (P&I) and moorage fees, if applicable 

• Homeowner’s association fees, condominium association fees, 

cooperative maintenance fees, planned unit development fees, or 

other common charges, including lien extinguishment.

• Ground lease, cooperative, or land trust charges.

• Homeowner’s insurance and/or mortgage insurance. Insurance 

assistance will only be provided if insurance payments are included 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 8

in escrow payments. OHCS will not enroll or pay insurance 

companies directly.

• Property taxes, but only where property taxes are escrowed into a 

mortgage or other housing payment. Because of the difficult 

logistics and potential for payments to be sent to the homeowner, 

OHCS will not complete forward property tax payments to counties 

or for reverse mortgages.

• Related lender-advanced third-party fees or incidental housing 

related costs, pursuant to OHCS program manuals.

“Mortgage” shall have the same definition as in the HAF Treasury guidance 

document and any subsequent revisions. Program manuals will control 

Eligible Cost determinations.

HAF Assistance

Tracks and Caps or 

Limits

With respect to the applicant’s primary residence, including a dwelling to be 

made habitable so it may serve as the homeowner’s primary residence, each 

homeowner will be eligible for up to$10,000 or 6 months of Eligible Cost 

payments, whichever occurs first.

Each homeowner is eligible for up to $60,000 maximum between the PastDue Payment Relief Program and the Ongoing Payment Relief Program. 

Assistance Type Assistance will be structured as a five-year (from the date of the final 

assistance payment), non-recourse, zero percent, forgivable, non-amortizing 

loan for which a junior lien will be recorded against the property, or a 

security interest will be recorded against the home. This lien will have 

subordination requirements to protect the interests of OHCS and the 

homeowner. Pursuant to the loan terms, at the time of the payoff or release, 

an equal portion of the loan may be forgiven over the loan term unless a 

homeowner commits fraud or breaches the loan agreement. If the property is 

sold or a cash out refinance is completed prior to the loan termination date, 

the Program will recover funds to the extent that sufficient equity is available 

from the transaction. The program shall recycle these recovered funds to 

provide additional program assistance in accordance with the agreement.

Payout of HAF 

Assistance

OHCS will disburse HAF assistance directly to mortgage lender/servicer, 

land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender/park (lot fees), 

floating home association/lender/park (moorage fees), county treasurer or 

local taxing authority, condominium/homeowners’ association, cooperative 

board, or management company, insurance company, and/or other thirdparty payee authorized to collect eligible charges. 

OHCS reserves the right to disburse the amount quoted by or negotiated 

with the recipient; any discrepancies to be resolved by the homeowner and 

recipient.

Program Launch OHCS launched its pilot program in November 2021. OHCS is opening its 

program in phases; please see the program website for additional 

information.. 

Program Duration The period of performance for this program begins upon Treasury 

approval of this program and ends on September 30, 2026, subject to 

later extensions or funding. 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 9

To the extent permitted after this program’s duration, OHCS plans to 

use non-recourse loans so that any funds returned to OHCS will be 

recycled and utilized for further disbursements and administrative costs 

until otherwise depleted. 

Application Process The application will be designed to be easily accessible. OHCS and its 

partners will design the application to meet the eligibility and 

compliance requirements while reducing the documentation burden to 

the applicant as directed by Treasury. OHCS will be accepting 

applications via multiple methods online and statewide to alleviate as 

many barriers as possible for the applicant.

Application 

Documents

The following information, documentation, and/or attestation will be 

requested:

• Hardship attestation related to a Qualified Financial Hardship, 

incorporated as a prequalification question and application signature 

attestation. 

• Third Party Authorization (TPA) and Disclosure Form.

• Attestation or documentation related to income and Eligible Costs, 

including without limitation mortgages, HOA obligations, property 

taxes, insurance charges, and others that meet the program’s 

verification requirements or exceptions.

• Other verification documents if required under the program’s 

verification requirements or exceptions.

Program manuals will control the information, documentation, and/or 

attestations required with regard to each application.

Eligibility 

Determination and 

Quality Control

OHCS partners or staff will summarize determination of the applicant’s 

eligibility and status in case notes. The summary will include applicable 

details to support the decision to approve, deny, or take other action with 

respect to an application submitted. OHCS partners and staff will have in 

place quality control oversight and processes to review a certain percentage 

of denials or certain categories of denials.

Homeowners must certify or attest to occupancy and income every three 

months after initial funding. If they do not re-certify or attest, or if they no 

longer meet program requirements, the homeowner will cease to be an 

Eligible Homeowner.

Recipient

Requirements

Program fund recipients must enter into a collaboration agreement, MOU, or 

agree to the program standard terms if required by OHCS. Each must 

communicate using the Common Data File (CDF), a secure electronic portal, 

using secure email, or other secure communication method. Each must 

provide written, itemized quotes for Eligible Costs, contact information, 

payment information (such as ACH), any required tax information, and any 

other information necessary to verify and document an applicant’s file. 

Program manuals will control recipient requirements and participation.

Program Exclusions • Ineligible homeowners, loans, liens, or properties, including due to 

nonparticipation of servicer or other recipient.

• The borrower’s mortgage paid through HAF funds cannot be an open 

home equity line of credit.

• Homeowners that received Ongoing Payment Relief through the HAF 
Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) 03.2023

Past-Due Payment Relief and Ongoing Payment Relief Program Terms Page 10

pilot program.

• HAF funds are intended to assist homeowners with arms-length 

consumer transactions. OHCS will not provide HAF assistance for loans 

between family members or other close relationships.

• OHCS will not pay the current year’s tax assessment or ongoing 

property tax payments unless they are escrowed into a mortgage or other 

housing cost payment. Because of the difficult logistics and potential for 

payments to be sent to the homeowner, OHCS will not complete 

ongoing property tax payments to counties or for reverse mortgages.

Program Interactions 

with Other Programs

• The Past-Due Payment Relief Program will operate in conjunction with 

the Ongoing Payment Relief Program.

• The program cannot fund the same Eligible Costs for the same months 

as any benefit or assistance payments received from any rental assistance 

programs, local mortgage or housing payment assistance programs (e.g., 

Salem House Authority, Portland/Multnomah County), tribal housing 

programs, or other ARPA or Cares Act programs.