The time has come for policymakers to protect homeowners from the risks this product poses and those who may abuse it. HEI loans are really just another form of mortgage and should be regulated like other forms of mortgage credit.
In this issue brief, we debunk certain myths about the barriers to small-dollar mortgage lending and set out recommendations for meaningful progress.
Read More about Myths and Facts About Ways to Increase Small Dollar Mortgage Lending
A significant number of Americans have attempted to become homeowners through “rent-to-own” transactions – either a land contract or a lease with option to buy. Often, these contracts are built to fail. In this issue brief, we provide policy recommendations to prevent harmful practices and incentivize success.
Some Homeowner Assistance Fund programs may decide to structure HAF assistance as an interestfree loan payable upon transfer of the property and forgivable over a period of time. We recommend that if HAF programs choose this structure, they avoid creating undue barriers to assistance such as requiring insurable title or conditioning assistance upon the resolution of outstanding liens or potential liens in order to assure priority of the program’s lien.
Read More about Why Title Reviews Should Not Create Unnecessary Barriers to HAF Assistance
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes $9.9 billion for creation of a Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to be administered by the Treasury Department. The HAF was established to mitigate financial hardships connected with the coronavirus pandemic and prevent foreclosures among homeowners who have experienced a hardship related to the pandemic.
Several million homeowners are behind on their mortgages or are already in foreclosure as the nation continues to face a pandemic, with low-income communities and communities of color hit hardest. While currently available programs will help many homeowners avoid foreclosure, many other homeowners likely will lose their homes unless further steps are taken.
