The U.S. Treasury Dept. announced yesterday it is providing additional funding to a California program to help homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments due to unemployment.  The program, administered through the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) will assist struggling borrowers make up to six months of mortgage payments.  Lenders will be asked to match the government contribution.

• The program aims to help 19,000 unemployed borrowers in California between its November launch and next July.  An additional 23,000 borrowers will receive help over the next two years, according to CalHFA estimates.
• To qualify for the program, borrowers must be unemployed and eligible for unemployment benefits, and live in the home tied to the mortgage.  Borrowers must be fewer than 90 days behind on mortgage payments and meet low- and moderate-income guidelines.  Income requirements can be found at http://keepyourhomecalifornia.com/income.pdf.
• CalHFA is focusing on providing aid to unemployed borrowers struggling with purchase loans, excluding refinanced loans.  According to CalHFA officials, it is too difficult to decide who “cashed out for a good reason and who didn’t.”
• More information about the CalHFA program, including eligibility, program summary, income requirements, and frequently asked questions, can be found at http://keepyourhomecalifornia.com.

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