Miami-Dade launching new Mortgage Relief Program to assist homeowners facing hardship
MIAMI - To help Miami-Dade homeowners stay in their homes, the county is launching a new Mortgage Relief Program.
April is Fair Housing Month and also marks one year since Mayor Daniella Levine Cava declared a housing affordability crisis in the county.
She told CBS News MIami's Peter D'Oench, "We know a lot of work needs to be done for people all over Miami-Dade. We are not going to solve this overnight. We are not going to solve this alone."
She said $23 million was available for the program and the county would be able to help up to $15,000 applicants.
She, along with commissioners and department directors, are expanding the county's efforts over the past year to tackle the housing crisis and encourage eligible residents to apply for the Mortgage Relief Program.
The Mortgage Relief Program will provide assistance to homeowners in the county who are experiencing hardship and struggling to pay their mortgage and/or utility bills.
To be eligible, total household income must not exceed 140 percent of the Area Median Income threshold.
A spokesman for the mayor said that means that a family of two people must be earning less than $109,200 for the year and a family of four people must be earning less than $136,500 for the year.
Also, applicants must be homeowners and requesting assistance for their primary residence.
Homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online. They can also call Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida at 786-237-2118 or by visiting one of the 12 Community Resource Center locations.
Seniors, those who are disabled, families with children, and households with late mortgages of 3 to 12 months will be deemed a priority.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien said, "I am glad we are standing together to find some solutions and give them hope. We are trying to help people, whether they be teachers or firefighters, to be able to stay there."
Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez said, "In this housing crisis the county has worked very hard to come up with innovative solutions, not just to keep people in their homes but to also achieve that American dream, homeownership."
Throughout the duration of the program, applicants can receive up to $1,500 per household towards late mortgage payments, late homeowner association (HOA) fees, homeowners insurance, and/or late utility assistance.
The new Mortgage Relief Program is a collaboration with the county's Department of Public Housing and the Community Development and Community Action and Human Services Department.