Homeowner Assistance Fund
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, (the “Act”), Pub. L. No. 117-2 (March 11, 2021) established the $9.961 billion Homeowner Assistance Fund (“HAF”). Under HAF, Treasury is authorized to make payments directly to States (defined to include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and Indian Tribes or their Tribally designated housing entities, as applicable (collectively the “eligible entities”) to mitigate financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic, including for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, through qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing. States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories were required to request HAF funding from Treasury no later than April 25, 2021, which was 45 days after enactment of the Act, in order to receive an award under the HAF program. Tribes or their Tribally designated housing entities, as applicable, and the DHHL were required to request HAF funding from Treasury by December 15, 2021, to receive an award under the HAF program. No new awards are being made but existing projects are still active.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- Territorial
- Tribal
State, Local (includes some State-recognized Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments
Beneficiaries
- Homeowner
Eligible entities may use HAF funds to provide assistance to eligible homeowners. Homeowners are eligible to receive amounts allocated to a HAF Participants under the HAF if they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area median income. A HAF Participants may provide HAF funds only to a homeowner with respect to qualified expenses related to the dwelling that is such homeowner’s primary residence. HAF Participants must require homeowners to attest that they experienced financial hardship after January 21, 2020. The attestation must describe the nature of the financial hardship (for example, job loss, reduction in income, or increased costs due to healthcare or the need to care for a family member)More information on income determinations is included in the HAF Guidance document at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/HAF-Guidance.pdf
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Not Applicable. No new awards will be made in FY 2026.
Program details & compliance
Description
Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”), Pub. L. No. 117-2 (March 11, 2021) established the Homeowner Assistance Fund and provides $9.961 billion for the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) to make payments to States (defined to include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), Indian Tribes or their Tribally designated housing entities, as applicable, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (collectively the “eligible entities”) to mitigate financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic, including for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, through qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing. Section 3206(d) of the Act prescribes that the funding must be allocated as follows: (1) $30 million reserved for making payments to U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa; (2) $498 million reserved for making payments to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and Indian Tribes, or the tribally designated housing entity, as applicable; and (3) the remainder allocated to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum payment of $50 million. Amounts that will be paid to States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are based on homeowner need as it relates to unemployment and mortgage delinquencies or mortgage foreclosures in those jurisdictions. Amounts paid to U.S. Territories (excluding Puerto Rico) are based on share of population and amounts paid to Tribal entities are based on a formula under section 3206(f) of the Act.
Mission Categories
Primary: Emergency and Crisis Assistance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
HAF Participants may use funding from their HAF awards only for the following types of qualified expenses that are for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, homeowner mortgage defaults, homeowner mortgage foreclosures, homeowner loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Additional information on qualified expenses can be found at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/HAF-Guidance.pdf
Required Documentation
No credentials or documentation required.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements