B-1-1

HHF District of Columbia Date: April 26, 2021

SERVICE SCHEDULE B-1

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency 

HOMESAVER PROGRAM

Summary Guidelines

1. Program Overview The HomeSaver Program will offer lump sum assistance and/or 

ongoing monthly mortgage payments to eligible District of 

Columbia (“District”) homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

The HomeSaver Program is made up of two components:

• The Unemployment and Underemployment Assistance 

component will provide assistance to currently unemployed 

and underemployed homeowners through a one-time 

payment of up to sixteen (16) months of mortgage and/or 

condo/HOA fee delinquency in order to bring the mortgage 

current. This component will also provide up to an 

additional eleven (11) months of mortgage and/or 

condo/HOA fee payments going forward (total not to 

exceed 24 months payments) in order to keep the 

homeowner current through December 2021, at which time 

all final payments will be disbursed for those customers still 

enrolled in the program.

• The Restore Assistance component will be available for 

homeowners who have suffered a financial hardship and 

who need a lump-sum payment to catch up on arrears, but 

who have sufficient resources to continue making their 

regular payments going forward. Restore Assistance may 

cover any property-related payments necessary to cure a 

default and prevent a foreclosure, including but not limited 

to mortgage payments, property taxes, hazard insurance, late 

fees, condo fees, homeowners association fees, and legal 

fees. For applicants whose delinquency involved an 

inability to pay property tax charges, non-escrowed property 

taxes, such as in the case of a reverse mortgage, may be prepaid through the remainder of the fiscal year atsettlement.

Applicants will be referred to the HomeSaver Program after 

completion of an intake package. Intake packages will be 

reviewed by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development (“HUD”) approved housing counseling agency 

and then forwarded to the HomeSaver Program for approval.
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2. Program Goals Foreclosure prevention – The primary goal of the HomeSaver

Program is to prevent foreclosures that will erode the base of 

homeowners in the District, which already lags behind the 

national average in the rate of homeownership. Additionally, 

each applicant will work with a HUD approved housing

counseling agency.
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Synergistic interaction – The DCHFA will partner with other 

organizations (e.g., DOES and the Urban Institute) to define the 

universe of potential candidates for the HomeSaver Program, 

perform outreach and intake and ultimately deliver timely 

assistance to prevent foreclosure. DOES is the District agency 

that administers the District’s Unemployment Insurance and job 

training programs. The Urban Institute (the “Institute”) has 

conducted extensive research into housing issues in the District, 

including mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures. The Institute 

gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers 

technical assistance overseas, and educates Americans on social 

and economic issues to foster sound public policy and effective 

government.

Simplicity – The DCHFA will employ a HomeSaver Program 

design that seeks to minimize administrative costs, thereby 

maximizing the amount of dollars available for assistance.

3. Target Population / 

Areas

The HomeSaver Program will be available to eligible 

homeowners throughout the District.

4. Program Funds 

(Excluding 

Administrative 

Expenses)

Not applicable. Program Funds may be disbursed under any 

program included in Schedule B.

5. Borrower Eligibility 

Criteria

Eligible program participants will be District homeowners 

identified on the most recent deed of trust, or deed, who 

currently occupy their home as a primary residence.

In addition, candidates must also meet the following criteria:

• Unemployment and Underemployment Assistance –

unemployed homeowners who, through no fault of their 

own, have become unemployed (to include COVID-19 

related employment losses as described in the 

Program’s ICP Manual); or underemployed 

homeowners who: (i) have had an involuntary reduction 

in gross income (to include COVID-19 related losses as 

described in the Program’s ICP Manual) such that the 

homeowner’s income is 90% or less of the 

homeowner’s pre-hardship income (which reduction 

occurred after the origination of the current mortgage): 

(ii) have a current gross income less than or equal to 

120% of Area Median Income (“AMI”); and (iii) have a 

monthly PITI payment that is greater than 38% of the 

homeowner’s gross monthly income.
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• Restore –homeowners who:
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o have suffered an eligible financial hardship, and, 

through no fault of their own, are at risk of a 

foreclosure due to unpaid mortgage payments, 

property taxes, hazard insurance, late fees, condo 

fees, homeowners association fees, legal fees or other 

property-related payments; and

o if the default is cured, can afford to resume future 

payments without additional assistance by 

demonstrating a housing payment ratio of 45% or 

less of the homeowner’s gross monthly income. 

Exceptions to maximum housing payment ratio 

may be considered based on borrower’s credit 

worthiness/previous payment history.

All program participants will be required to sign a Hardship 

Affidavit attesting to their inability to make mortgage payments 

or reinstate their delinquency due to unemployment, substantial 

underemployment, or other eligible financial hardship that 

occurred through no fault of their own.

6. Property / Loan 

Eligibility Criteria

Single-family home or condominium.

7. Program Exclusions • Homeowners with an outstanding mortgage balance greater 

than $729,750;

• Homeowners whose income is over 120% of AMI;

• Homeowners who are in active bankruptcy;

• Residential cooperative units; or

• Homeowners unable to substantiate past and present income 

or who fail to provide required program documentation as 

requested.

8. Structure of Assistance All loans will be recorded as non-recourse junior liens against 

the property and will be non-amortizing. Loans will be forgiven 

at a rate of 20% per year such that in year six (6) the loan will be 

forgiven and the lien released.

If assistance is paid directly (or through a settlement agent) to 

the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue and/or to a 

condominium or homeowners association, the homeowner will 

execute an additional, simultaneous Demand Note in the amount 

required to redeem a property (if applicable).

The loan will only be repayable if the program participant sells 

or refinances the property prior to expiration of the lien period, 

and then only to the extent there is sufficient equity to pay that 

portion of the loan that has not been forgiven. Notwithstanding 

the foregoing, if a program participant refinances prior to full 

forgiveness, and the participant is not receiving any cash from
B-1-6

the refinance, the HomeSaver loan will subordinate to the new 

loan and will continue to be forgiven.

Loan funds repaid by program participants will be returned to 

the program or recaptured in accordance with the Agreement.

9. Per Household 

Assistance

Maximum program assistance is $60,000 per household.

10. Duration of Assistance Unemployment and Underemployment Assistance. The 

maximum duration of assistance is twenty-four (24) months. 

Eligible homeowners may combine lump-sum catch-up 

assistance and forward-paying assistance so long as the total 

duration of assistance does not exceed the cap. For example, if 

an unemployed homeowner receives catch-up assistance to bring 

his/her mortgage current after a six (6) month delinquency, the 

homeowner may still be eligible for up to eighteen (18) months 

of forward-paying assistance, as long as the total duration does 

not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Restore Assistance. One-time lump-sum payment capped at

$60,000.

11. Estimated Number of 

Participating 

Households

900-1,200

12. Program Inception / 

Duration

The HomeSaver Program began January 18, 2011 and is 

expected to continue until all funds are exhausted, but not later 

than December 31, 2021.

13. Program Interactions 

with Other HFA 

Programs

Homeowners may access other District programs. The DCHFA 

will explore partnerships with other District agencies that have 

programs assisting District residents at risk of foreclosure, 

including the Department of Housing and Community 

Development (“DHCD”) and the Department of Insurance 

Securities and Banking (“DISB”). DISB provides foreclosure 

mitigation assistance and DHCD funds foreclosure prevention 

counseling and other federal programs including the 

Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

14. Program Interactions 

with HAMP

Prior to the conclusion of Making Home Affordable programs, 

eligible homeowners could access Federal programs including 

HAMP and HAMP UP. Homeowners could utilize HAMP UP

before or after the HomeSaver Program.
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15. Program Leverage with 

Other Financial 

Resources

The HomeSaver Program requires no financial contribution 

from servicers or lenders; however, loan modifications or 

contributions/fee waivers are permitted (but not required).
B-2-1

SERVICE SCHEDULE B-2

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency

RECAST/LIEN EXTINGUISHMENT PROGRAM

Summary Guidelines

1. Program Overview The Recast/Lien Extinguishment Program (R/LE Program) will 

help District of Columbia (“District”) homeowners who are at 

risk of foreclosure, by lowering mortgage expense payments 

through a principal reduction and re-amortization (recast) of the 

remaining principal balance, or a complete lien extinguishment. 

The R/LE Program may also be used to pay all delinquent 

mortgage and mortgage-related expenses necessary to bring the 

homeowner current on arrears, in conjunction with a principal 

reduction and recast or complete lien extinguishment.

2. Program Goals The goal of the R/LE Program is to assist District homeowners 

who are unable to sustain current mortgage payments and are at 

risk of foreclosure due to an eligible financial hardship. This 

program will achieve affordability and long term sustainability 

by creating a more affordable mortgage expense payment.

3. Target Population / 

Areas

The R/LE Program will be available to eligible homeowners 

throughout the District.

4. Program Funds 

(Excluding Administrative 

Expenses)

Not applicable. Program Funds may be disbursed under any 

program included in Schedule B.

5. Borrower Eligibility 

Criteria

Eligible program participants will be District homeowners 

identified on the mortgage note, who currently occupy their 

home as a primary residence and have experienced an eligible 

financial hardship that occurred through no fault of their own.

In addition, all homeowners must meet the following criteria 

in order to be eligible for assistance under the R/LE 

Program:

o Homeowner has become re-employed or secured a 

fixed income source as defined in program guidelines

o Homeowner has a satisfactory payment history prior 

to demonstrated financial hardship

o Current housing expenses >30% of gross monthly 

income
B-2-2

o After assistance, can afford to resume future 

payments without additional assistance by 

demonstrating housing expense payments of no 

more than 38% of gross monthly income

o Gross borrower income may not exceed 120% of 

Area Median Income

Homeowners must meet the following additional criteria in 

order to be eligible for a complete lien extinguishment:

o Primary source of income is fixed, as defined in the 

program guidelines

Homeowners must meet the following additional criteria in 

order to be eligible for principal reduction and recast:

o Primary source of income is fixed, as defined in the 

program guidelines; or

o If primary source of income is not fixed, as defined 

in the program guidelines:

▪ Pre-assistance combined loan to value 

(CLTV) ratio  80%; and

▪ Post-assistance CLTV ratio ≥ 80%. Postassistance CLTV may go below 80% only if 

no more than $20,000 is provided toward a 

principal reduction in order to achieve a postassistance housing expense payment between 

30% and 38% of the gross monthly income.

All program participants will be required to sign a Hardship 

Affidavit attesting to their inability to make mortgage payments 

due to substantial underemployment/loss of income, transition to 

lower fixed income, or other eligible financial hardship that 

occurred through no fault of their own.

6. Property / Loan 

Eligibility Criteria

Property must be a single-family home or condominium unit 

occupied as a primary residence and located in the District of 

Columbia. Interest only or negative amortization loans must 

become fully amortizing mortgages at the time of recast.

7. Program Exclusions • Homeowners with outstanding mortgage balances greater 

than $729,750;

• Homeowners whose income is over 120% of AMI;

• Homeowners who are in active bankruptcy;

• Residential cooperative units;
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• Homeowners unable to substantiate present income or who 

fail to provide required program documentation as 

requested.

8. Structure of Assistance All loans will be recorded as non-recourse junior liens against 

the property and will be non-amortizing. Loans will be forgiven 

at a rate of 20% per year such that in year six (6) the loan will be 

forgiven and the lien released.

The loan will only be repayable if the program participant sells 

or refinances the property prior to expiration of the lien period, 

and then only to the extent there is sufficient equity to pay that 

portion of the loan that has not been forgiven. Notwithstanding 

the foregoing, if a program participant refinances prior to full 

forgiveness, and the participant is not receiving any cash from 

the refinance, the R/LE Program loan will be subordinate to the 

new loan and will continue to be forgiven.

Loan funds repaid by program participants will be returned to 

the program or recaptured in accordance with the Agreement.

9. Per Household 

Assistance

Eligible homeowners may receive up to $50,000 for principal 

reduction and recast or lien extinguishment. Homeowners with 

a delinquent mortgage may be brought current with up to

$60,000, not to exceed total assistance of $75,000 under the 

R/LE Program.

Eligible homeowners may receive up to a maximum of

$100,000 total assistance from the R/LE Program and the 

HomeSaver Program combined.

10. Duration of Assistance One-time lump-sum payment capped at $75,000.

11. Estimated Number of 

Participating Households

75

12. Program Inception / 

Duration

The R/LE Program will be implemented by the third quarter of 

2018 and continue until funds are exhausted or December 31, 

2020, whichever occurs first.

13. Program Interactions 

with Other HFA Programs

Homeowners who have participated in other HomeSaver

Programs may be eligible to participate in the R/LE Program 

provided the homeowner meets program eligibility

requirements.
B-2-4

14. Program Interactions 

with HAMP

N/A

15. Program Leverage with 

Other Financial Resources

The R/LE Program requires no financial contribution from 

servicers or lenders; however, loan modifications or 

contributions/fee waivers are permitted (but not required).
C-1

HHF District of Columbia Date: April 26, 2021

SCHEDULE C

PERMITTED EXPENSES

Washington D.C.

One-time / Start-Up Expenses:

Initial Personnel $76,829.00

Building, Equipment, Technology $166,968.00

Professional Services $12,000.00

Supplies / Miscellaneous $0.00

Marketing /Communications $7,500.00

Travel $5,000.00

Website development /Translation $1,412.00

Contingency $0.00

Subtotal $269,709.00

Operating / Administrative 

Expenses:

Salaries $2,486,815.28

Professional Services (Legal,

Compliance, Audit, Monitoring) $190,300.98

Travel $438.19

Buildings, Leases & Equipment $196,362.68

Information Technology &

Communications $582,818.48

Office Supplies/Postage and

Delivery/Subscriptions $30,506.36

Risk Management/ Insurance $63,095.85

Training $0.00

Marketing/PR $29,746.89

Miscellaneous $5,660.80

Subtotal $3,585,745.51

Transaction Related Expenses:

Recording Fees $136,369.12

Wire Transfer Fees $149,249.94

Counseling Expenses

File Intake $0.00

Decision Costs $0.00

Successful File $1,185,428.34

Key Business Partners On-Going $519,044.17

Subtotal $1,990,091.57
C-2

Grand Total $5,845,546.08

% of Total Award 20.32%

Award Amount $28,774,267.00