Don't lose your house because of COVID-19; mortgage assistance program opens Tuesday

COVID-19 mortgage assistance program becomes available Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.

A federal assistance program designed to help COVID-19 affected homeowners avoid foreclosure will open applications 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency will open the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance portal to help protect thousands of homeowners from foreclosure.

The program provides up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrears, delinquent property taxes and other housing cost for eligible homeowners impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is being made available through the American Rescue Plan Act enacted March 11, 2021.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

• Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19 related financial hardship occurring after Jan. 20, 2020;


• Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;


• Have an income at or below 150% of their county's Area Median Income (AMI).

NJHMFA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their families. Counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to internet or anyone needing assistance with the application.

Visit NJHMFA's ERMA page to review program eligibility and sign up for program updates.