Delaware Mortgage Relief Program Announces New Program Guidelines And Partnerships

Homeowners Can Now Receive Up To $50,000 In Financial Assistance, Including Future Payments and Non-Delinquent Mortgage Payments.

Dover, Del. January 11, 2022 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced today updates to the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, which include the following:

  • Removing the requirement of 30-day mortgage Homeowners who do not have a delinquent mortgage are now eligible to apply for the program.
  • Offering future monthly mortgage payment assistance for up to 6 months in addition to mortgage reinstatement or imminent risk of delinquency.
  • Increasing the total assistance amount available from $40,000 to $50,000 per

Homeowners can check their eligibility and apply for the program here: demortgagehelp.com. Since June of 2022, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program has dispersed close to $11 million to over 1,100 households, with an average assistance amount of $9,478. More data and insights about the program’s success can be found on the program dashboard here: https://bit.ly/HAFDashboard.

In addition to expanding the program, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program is proud to partner with the following local housing organizations to provide application assistance and ongoing financial planning support for homeowners in need.

Legal Aid Services Provided By:

Housing Counseling Services Provided By:

“At DSHA, we are committed to continuous improvement so that we can better serve the people of our state,” said Eugene R. Young, Jr., Director of DSHA. “These new updates and partnerships will make positive, life-long impacts for homeowners, their families, and Delaware neighborhoods.”

Delaware Mortgage Relief Program provides financial assistance to Delaware homeowners who are at risk of displacement due to unpaid of housing-related obligations such as mortgage payments and property charges. Financial assistance can be used for mortgage payments, tax/chattel/land lease delinquency, water and sewer, HOA or condo fees, homeowner insurance delinquency, and lot rent for manufactured housing.

The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and Homeowner Assistance Fund, which the U.S. Treasury Department distributed to the state of Delaware. The $50 million received is being administered by DSHA and will be available until 2025 or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. For questions about the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, please call (888) 303- 4324 or visit demortgagehelp.com.

 

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties.

 

DELAWARE MORTGAGE RELIEF PROGRAM CHANGE FAQs

1. I have already received assistance. Can I reapply for future payments?

No. Only new applications are eligible under the new program guidelines. Those who have already received assistance and are still seeking support should contact a local housing counseling agency for guidance: https://demortgagehelp.com/housing- counselors/.

 

2. I was previously denied assistance. Can I reapply for reinstatement and future payments?

Yes. Eligible applicants that were previously denied should have received an email invitation to reapply in December. If you believe these policy changes make you eligible and you have not received an email from the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, please contact the Program call center at (888) 303 – 4324.

 

3. My application is in progress. How will these changes affect me?

Your application will continue to be processed and evaluated under the new program guidelines. If you have questions about your application, please contact the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program call center at (888) 303 – 4324.

 

4. Can someone help me start an application?

Those in need of application assistance can contact a local housing counseling agency or one of the organizations listed below:

 

5. I am current on my mortgage but unable to make the next Can I apply?

Yes, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program no longer requires delinquency to be eligible for assistance. If you are at imminent risk of being delinquent, please visit demortgagehelp.com to start an application.

 

6. How many months of future assistance can I receive?

Future assistance is determined by your debt to income ratio (DTI) and follows the current structure listed below:

DTI % (Housing Expenses/Pre-Tax Income) Assistance Amount
31% Mortgage Reinstatement Only
32% – 50% Mortgage Reinstatement and up to 3 months of monthly payment assistance
51% and up Mortgage Reinstatement and up to 6 months of monthly payment assistance

 

7. Is assistance from the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program provided to homeowners as a grant or a loan?

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program funds are issued in the form of non-recourse grants, that homeowners do not need to repay.

 

8. What types of properties are eligible for Delaware Mortgage Relief Program assistance?

  • Single-family (attached or detached) property
  • Condominium unit
  • 1 to 4-unit property where homeowner lives in a unit as their primary residence
  • Manufactured home permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate
  • Mobile home not permanently affixed to real property

Delaware State Housing Authority Announces The Launch Of Statewide Rent Reporting Pilot

The program that provides renters an opportunity to build their credit score without taking on more debt by simply paying their rent

 

Dover, Del., January 9, 2022 – The Delaware Tenant Rent-Reporting Program Pilot is a new program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and partnered with Self Financial (Self).

“Rent is the largest monthly expense for many people, but few are using rent to build credit. Self is proud to work in partnership with DHSA to help people build credit using their existing rent payments,” said James Garvey, founder and CEO of Self.

The Tenant Rent-Reporting Pilot aims to help over 400 low-income renters increase their credit scores by reporting their reliable rental payment history. Most rental payment history is never reported to the larger credit reporting bureaus. As a result, many renters’ credit scores do not reflect their actual credit risk. This unreported positive payment history can be a significant factor in decreasing economic mobility.

Self is a credit-building platform that increases economic inclusion and financial resilience through products that make credit accessible for people with low or no scores. Self will report tenants’ rent and utility payments by linking to a person’s bank account, detecting the payment history, and then reporting those payments to the major credit bureaus. Self reports rent payments to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and utility payments to TransUnion.

Through rental payment history reporting, the new pilot program aims to reduce barriers to home ownership, increase access to personal and business loan products, and more accurately represent applicants applying for jobs requiring credit checks and affordable financial products like insurance.

Karen Speakman, Executive Director of NeighborGood Partners, formerly NCALL, shared, “We are delighted to be a part of this unique tenant rent reporting pilot in partnership with Self Financial and DSHA. Our role is to seek a diverse group of tenant households to participate in this program, link them with financial coaching, and towards the end of the two-year pilot, develop a report that will include an analysis of the program data and provide recommendations for future policies.”

NeighborGood Partners, a nonprofit specializing in affordable housing development, education, and lending, will manage participant eligibility and enrollment.

“We are excited that Delaware is at the forefront of this policy issue,” says Caitlin Del Collo. “Colorado is currently implementing a similar rent reporting pilot program, and California recently enacted a law that requires affordable property managers to offer rent reporting to their tenants through July 1, 2025. The outcomes of this pilot will help inform future policies surrounding rent reporting and credit building, not just in Delaware but nationwide.”

To participate in the pilot program, renters must have a housing voucher from or live in a public housing unit operated by one of the state’s five PHAs; OR have a household income of at/below 250% of the federal poverty level. During the 12-month pilot period, tenants will also have access to monthly credit scores, ID theft insurance, financial counseling, and the option to report an additional 24 months of past rent and utility payments.

“After months of designing, planning, and working with the Governor’s Office to secure funding, I am incredibly excited that the pilot program is launching and will be available for renters in Delaware,” said Senator Kyle Evans Gay. “I believe the Delaware Tenant Rent-Reporting Pilot will empower renters to achieve their financial goals. I am grateful to DSHA and its partners for their work to provide this service to Delawareans.”

For more information about the Delaware Tenant Rent Reporting Pilot, please contact Nancy Aragon, Rent Reporting Specialist, at (302) 855-1370 (office), (302) 260-1212 (cell), or naragon@neighborgoodpartners.org. Additional information is available at www.neighborgoodpartners.org.

About Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com.

About Self Financial

Self Financial is a credit-building platform working to increase economic inclusion and financial resilience through products that make building credit accessible. With no hard credit check to get started, Self’s signature Credit Builder Account and secured Self Visa® Credit Card issued by its partner banks are designed to enable people to build credit and savings simultaneously. The company also offers rent and utility payment reporting. Download the Self app at the Apple App Store (220,000+ reviews and an average 4.9 rating) or Google Play or visit Self. inc for more information.

About NeighborGood Partners (formally NCALL)

As a service provider for families and individuals in Delaware, NeighborGood Partners offers pre-purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling, financial education, and DEHAP rental housing assistance. NeighborGood Partners is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Their services to nonprofit corporations include developer consulting for multi-family housing projects, and technical expertise for USDA’s Rural Development Self-Help Housing program. Their Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution, provides financing to nonprofit and for-profit corporations interested in providing affordable housing and other living spaces, neighborhood revitalization, and community facilities. They also provide community development services and are the lead agency for Restoring Central Dover, a resident-driven neighborhood revitalization initiative.

DSHA To Host A Virtual Public Hearing To Gather Input On The Home-American Rescue Plan Program

Priorities include homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing, and low-income housing

Dover, Del. December 15, 2022 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) will host a virtual public hearing to obtain public input on the HOME-American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP). The plan is Delaware’s application and distribution plan for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development Block Grant Programs.

Recently, Delaware received close to $5 million in additional funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to be administered through the DSHA’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to perform activities that benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations.

DSHA conducted an extensive stakeholder consultation process to identify unmet housing and service needs among qualifying homeless individuals and families at risk of homelessness or other vulnerable populations. Based on this information, DSHA has identified the following priority needs for HOME-ARP funding:

  • Increased emergency shelter units and beds
  • Increased permanent supportive housing for persons with physical disabilities and substance abuse disorders
  • Increased affordable and low-income housing

The draft HOME -ARP Plan is available for public viewing here. Public comment will be available beginning December 6, 2022, through December 20, 2022. Oral and written comments will be accepted during the public hearing. To be considered, all oral and written comments must be received by DSHA by December 20, 2022. Written comments can also be emailed to Cindy Deakyne at cindy@destatehousing.com. 

The virtual public hearing on December 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. can be accessed remotely via the following link and/or phone number:

Accommodations are available in reading this Notice for anyone with disabilities by calling DSHA at 302-739-4263 or 888-363-8808. TTY/ ASCII/ VOICE/ VCO users may utilize the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 800-676-3777. 

The HOME-ARP funding is one example of Delaware’s investment in affordable housing support services and development initiatives. In the Summer of 2022, Governor Carney and DSHA announced plans to use American Rescue Plan Act funding to develop a multi-tiered approach to address the affordable housing crisis across the state. DSHA will create the following programs as part of this initiative and will administer the programs through 2026.

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com. 

DEHAP Rental Assistance Program Will Close To New Applications On January 2

Dover, Del. December 13, 2022 – In response to the overwhelming demand for assistance, the Delaware State Housing Authority will no longer accept new applications to the Delaware Housing Assisting Program (DEHAP) at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023.

This closure will allow DSHA to process existing applications submitted up to that point. Tenants and landlords with open or in-progress applications submitted before 8:00 a.m. on January 2, 2023, are encouraged to monitor their emails, text messages, and voicemails for status updates.

DEHAP assistance is not guaranteed, and applications or recertifications will be processed in the order received. Individuals experiencing emergencies, such as eviction with a set court date, immediate risk of homelessness, or utility cut-off, can start a new application for assistance after January 2, 2023, through one of the program’s 15 Community Navigators. The complete list of Community Navigators is available on decovidhousinghelp.com.

The DEHAP Program is funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department distributed to Delaware in January (ERA-1) and May 2021 (ERA-2). ERA-1 funding expired on September 30, 2022, and ERA-2 funds are allocated until 2025 unless exhausted prior. At the current rate of assistance being distributed, the DEHAP program funds are being depleted at an exorbitated rate.

To date, the DEHAP program has dispersed over $122 million in rental and utility assistance, serving close to 22,000 Delawareans as they recovered from the devastating impact of the pandemic. For additional details or questions, all are encouraged to call (866) 935 -0407 for more information.

 

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the DEHAP Program ending?

  • The DEHAP program will continue to process applications and disburse payments. The program in its current format will eventually end.

When will the program reopen?

  • An reopen date has not been Sign up for email alerts regarding the future of the DEHAP program here: http://eepurl.com/h9kABf

Why is the application portal closing?

  • The portal is closing to manage application Tenants and landlords with open or in-progress applications submitted before 8:00 a.m. on January 2, 2023, are encouraged to monitor their emails, text messages, and voicemails for status updates. Those looking to apply before 8:00 a.m. January 2, 2023, deadline can apply here: decovidhousinghelp.com. Assistance is not guaranteed.

What should I do if I’m currently facing eviction or the risk of homelessness?

  • Individuals experiencing emergencies, such as eviction with a set court date, immediate risk of homelessness, or utility cut-off, can start a new application for assistance through one of the program’s 15 Community Navigators. The complete list of Community Navigators is available on decovidhousinghelp.com/application-assistance/.

What should I do if I need to recertify?

  • Applications for recertifications will not be accepted during this program closure, and future assistance is not guaranteed.

What should I do if my application is denied while the program is closed?

  • Denied applications can be appealed; however, assistance is not

What happens if I don’t submit my application by 8:00 a.m. on January 2, 2023?

  • After January 8:00 a.m. 2, 2023, new applications will not be accepted, and there is no guarantee when the program will resume accepting new Sign up for email alerts regarding the future of the DEHAP program here: http://eepurl.com/h9kABf

What can I do the increase my chances of getting approved during the program closure?

DEHAP Rental Assistance Is Open For New Applications

Program Pause Ends and Sets Agency Up to Assist Delaware Renters at High Risk of Eviction

Dover, Del., October 12, 2022 – The Delaware State Housing Authority announced today the reopening of the DEHAP Rental Assistance Program, in addition to its new program guidelines. New applications and recertifications, which were unavailable during the pause, are now accessible through the DEHAP portal here: www.decovidhousinghelp.com.

All applications submitted on or after Wednesday, October 12, 2022, will be reviewed for eligibility under the new program guidelines, which include: 

  • Eligible households must be at 50% Area Median Income (AMI) or less AND provide documentation to verify their income 
  • Households may receive a maximum rental assistance amount of $1,500 per month and a maximum utility assistance amount of $500 per month
  • Households may still receive up to 18 months of assistance for past due, current, and future rent, and up to 18 months of assistance for past due and current utilities

Households who submitted applications before the application portal paused on September 9 will have until October 14 to provide any missing documentation required to process their application. If missing documentation is not received by the deadline, the application will be closed out and the applicant will need to reapply under the new program guidelines.

The DEHAP Program is funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department distributed to Delaware in January (ERA-1) and May 2021 (ERA-2). ERA-1 funding expired on September 30, 2022.

While ERA-2 funding is not set to expire until 2025, recent federal U.S. Treasury policy changes and the ongoing high demand for assistance have forced DSHA to make the abovementioned changes to ensure the program can continue to assist renters at increased risk of eviction.

“Thank you all for your patience during this program pause. I commend the DSHA staff and 15 DEHAP community navigators for their diligence in making the process as smooth as possible,” said Eugene R. Young, Jr. “We’re eager to keep up the program’s momentum as we work to help Delaware renters at high-risk of eviction.”

To date, the DEHAP program has dispersed over $114 million in ERA funding, serving close to 20,000 Delawareans as they recovered from the devastating impact of the pandemic. This summer, Delaware was recognized at the White House Eviction Prevention Conference for using its rental assistance program to keep eviction rates low during the COVID-19 pandemic and even after federal and state eviction protections had expired. 

For additional details on the DEHAP Program, all are encouraged to visit decovidhousinghelp.com, call (866) 935-0407, or visit one of DEHAP’s Community Navigators. 

 

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com. 

 

NEW DEHAP INCOME LIMITS | 50% AMI PER COUNTY

Kent County Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$27,050 $30,900 $34,750 $38,600 $41,700 $44,800 $47,900 $51,000

 

New Castle County Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$36,900 $42,200 $47,450 $52,700 $56,950 $61,150 $65,350 $69,600

 

Sussex County Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$29,400 $33,600 $37,800 $42,000 $45,400 $48,750 $52,100 $55,450

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Why did the program guidelines change?
    • Program changes are being made in accordance with federal U.S. Treasury guidance. DEHAP is funded by federal ERA-1 and ERA-2 funding. ERA-1 expired on September 30, 2022 and this transition will allow DSHA to conserve as much ERA-2 assistance as possible for Delaware renters and landlords.
  • What are the DEHAP Changes?
    • New income eligible limits. Eligible households must be at 50% Area Median Income (AMI) or less
  • New documentation requirements. Eligible households must provide documentation to verify their income such as 2020 or 2021 tax returns or federal or state benefits letter.
  • New assistance limits. Households may receive a maximum rental assistance amount of $1,500 per month and a maximum utility assistance amount of $500 per month
  • Can I submit a new application or recertification now?
    • Yes, the application portal is open for new applications and recertifications. We encourage you to review the new eligibility requirements prior to applying.
  • Is in person application assistance still available?
    • Yes, DEHAP Community Navigators are still available to assist you with completing an application. Click here to find a community navigator near you.
  • I applied before the program pause and my application is still in progress. What should I do?
    • Households who submitted applications before the application portal paused on September 9 will have until October 14 to provide any missing documentation required to process their application. If missing documentation is not received by the deadline, the application will be closed out and the applicant will need to reapply under the new program guidelines. To find out what’s needed for your application, log onto the DEHAP portal, call (866) 935-0407, or connect with your landlord/tenant. 
  • I don’t meet the new program guidelines. What should I do?