FEMA Coronavirus COVID-19 Home Loan

Is FEMA giving Home Loans to Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus?


Many business owners applying for SBA loan under the “Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance.”


The federal government is helping small businesses adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Across the United States, small business owners may apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program will loan money to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The money will be available within three days of an approved application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

However, business owners are confused with the SBA website stating “Home Loans“. The text states in full:


Home Loans or Sole Proprietor Loans

Homeowners and Renters must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obtain a FEMA Registration ID Number by calling 1-800-621-3362 prior to applying for an SBA loan.

To apply, click here.


On March 31, 2020, in my effort to assist several clients pro bono, I contacted FEMA’s phone number provided. I spoke with FEMA’s representative, Elizabeth, who informed me that she and her colleagues are getting hundreds of calls relating to the SBA’s website. “FEMA is not making home loans relating COVID-19,” Elizabeth said. She doesn’t know why SBA wrote the statement on its website. “It has created a lot of confusion for everyone,” Elisabeth expressed.

For homeowners who need assistance with their mortgage, they should turn to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac. According to the Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac “are helping people who have been impacted by the coronavirus. The FHFA’s webpage is called the “Mortgage Help for Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus.”

FEMA COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Adding to the confusion, FEMA’s Press Release, entitled “COVID-19 Emergency Declaration” is vague on what assistance is being offered. The Press Release cannot be understood by many homeowners and lawyers working pro-bono trying to help.

COVID-19 MORTGAGE HELP

First, homeowners must check to see if FANNIE Mae or Freddie Mac owns their home. You may check here:


On March 18, 2020, President Trump directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to suspend evictions and foreclosures through April related to the fallout of the coronavirus. “The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April,” The moratorium will apply only to homeowners with mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a HUD agency that backs affordable home loans issued through private firms.

As of March 23, 2020, may states have temporarily stop evictions and foreclosure: for Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington. Similar action has been taken by many cities including Atlanta GA, Miami-Dade County FL, Orlando FL, Charleston SC, Detroit MI, Philadelphia PA, Cleveland OH, San Antonio TX, Austin TX, Santa Fe NM, and Seattle WA.

CALIFORNIA

On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom order a temporary hold to evict tenants unable to pay their rent; the hold also applies to homeowners unable to pay mortgages because of a substantial decrease in household or business income or substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order is set to remain in place until May 31, 2020, and renters are still required to pay what they owe their landlords. The order states, “Nothing in this Order shall relieve a tenant of the obligation to pay rent, nor restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent due.”

Related information: 

FEMA is not giving home loans for Covid-19.

California Law Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Trump Families First Coronavirus Aid Package

Who Qualifies for Paid Leave Coronavirus Under Federal Law

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