Homeowners and renters across the country are experiencing the financial impacts of coronavirus, or COVID-19. There are programs to defer or reduce mortgage payments, tenants cannot be evicted for non-payment, and landlords will need to make payment plans with their tenants for up to 12 months.
COVID-19 MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PLANS
Mortgage Relief for Homeowners
If you are experiencing a hardship such as job loss, income reduction, or sickness due to COVID-19 and you are no longer able to make your mortgage payment, your mortgage servicer is available to help with mortgage relief options, including:
- Payment relief through a forbearance plan offers a reduction or suspension of your mortgage payments for up to 12 months, offered in increments of up to six months.
- Late fee relief during your forbearance plan period.
- Repayment options following your forbearance, including a repayment plan to catch up gradually, a permanent loan modification that aims to maintain or reduce your monthly payment, or an extension of the forbearance plan.
Click the house to watch a video from Fannie Mae about how a forbearance plan works.
Contact Your Mortgage Servicer
If you're concerned about your mortgage payments you can call and request help from your mortgage servicer listed on your monthly statement.
Complete this form and gather your financials and proof of hardship caused by the coronavirus. i.e. job loss, loss of rents, caring for children or family members.
Be patient and wait. Many servicers are experiencing increased call volumes and hold times due to COVID-19.
Disaster Response Network for Homeowners and Renters
Fannie Mae's Disaster Response Network™ offers free help with the broader financial challenges caused by COVID-19.
As a HUD-approved housing counselor, I can create a personalized action plan, offer financial coaching and budgeting, and support your ongoing success.
Whether you’re struggling to pay your rent or your mortgage, call today—you're not alone.
If you're a renter, contact your property manager or building owner to see if they have access to the Disaster Response Network. This option is available only for tenants living in apartments or other multifamily rental properties financed by Fannie Mae.
Frequently Asked Questions from the FHFA
What help is available for homeowners impacted by COVID-19?
Homeowners unable to make their mortgage payments resulting from the impact of COVID-19 (regardless of whether they have contracted the virus) may be eligible for a mortgage forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months. This assistance is available to homeowners with single family or condominium mortgages owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) regardless of whether their property is owner occupied, a second home, or an investment property.
What is a forbearance plan?
A forbearance plan is an agreement between a homeowner and their mortgage servicer (the company they send their monthly mortgage payments to) that establishes an alternative payment schedule to reduce or suspend payments for a period of time. Importantly, mortgage forbearance plans do not reduce the principal amount owed on a mortgage, and interest continues to accrue for the duration of the plan. Homeowners who can afford to make partial payments should do so in order to lessen the amount due at the end of the forbearance.
Will the homeowner have to pay extra fees?
While in forbearance, homeowners do not incur late fees or other penalties. However, the terms of the mortgage are unchanged, and arrangements will need to be made with the servicer to make up missed payments.
What happens at the end of the forbearance?
the end of the forbearance period, the homeowner will work with their servicer to repay all past due amounts and accrued interest. Homeowners unable to resolve past due amounts, or who need a lower mortgage payment, are evaluated for longer-term borrower assistance options such as a loan modification.
How do homeowners in need of assistance enter into a forbearance plan?
Homeowners must contact their servicer to let them know they are impacted and having difficulty making their mortgage payment. Servicers will review the homeowner’s situation to determine whether forbearance is appropriate. Homeowners do not need to provide extensive documentation to be placed in a forbearance plan.
When should a homeowner contact their mortgage servicer?
Forbearance is for homeowners in need of assistance, so only those unable to make their mortgage payment should request it. The first step homeowners should take is to determine whether they are able to make their next mortgage payment. Those homeowners still able to pay their mortgage, should continue to do so. Homeowners unable to make their next mortgage payment due to a decline in income resulting from the impact of COVID-19, should call their servicer immediately upon making that determination.
Where can homeowners go for more information or to find out if their mortgage is owned by one of the Enterprises?
Homeowners can use Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s “loan lookup” tools on their respective websites. Click here for Fannie Mae or for Freddie Mac.
Is there any assistance available for renters?
Yes. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which became law on March 27, 2020, institutes a 120-day suspension on evictions for renters unable to pay rent in Federally-assisted properties, which includes single-family and multifamily properties with loans owned or securitized by the Enterprises.
