HELP for Habitat Homeowners

 Message from the Executive Director

During the COVID19 crisis in our country we understand that this time can be highly stressful and feel very uncertain! That's why we want to share some of the resources we've made available to assist you with your mortgage payments. If you have any questions, please call us at 717.854.6168 or email us at yhfh@yorkhabitat.org
 
Late Fees
York Habitat for Humanity will waive all late payments fees for the month of April and May 2020, if your payment is made by the last day of each month.  For those who need it, it will give you a couple of extra weeks to get your tax refunds, corona virus relief payments and start receiving unemployment compensation, if you qualify.

Credit Agency Reporting
York Habitat will not report late payments to the credit bureaus. You will not be penalized for making late payments in April or May, as long as the payment is made by the end of each month. We understand the loss of income due to COVID19 closures is no fault of your own and want you to be confident, you won't have negative remarks on your credit.

Payment Methods
Northwest Bank Lobby's are closed until further notice to help prevent incidence of community spread of the Corona-virus. However you can still make your payments at any branch through the drive through. Please check their website to make sure they are open when you intend to make your payment.  https://www.northwest.bank/


Hardship Reviews
Habitat families who are in good standing (not more than 30 days late, in the month prior to COVID19) can request a hardship review from our team, if you are unable to make your mortgage payment due to loss of income, related to the COVID19 business closures. Support is determined, reviewed and granted on a case by case basis. We encourage you to reach out to us and we'll discuss your individual situation and needs! Please email us at yhfh@yorkhabitat.org  Your email will be reviewed and a phone appointment will be scheduled within 48 hours of your request. 
 
Foreclosures
It is never the desire of York Habitat to foreclose on any family who has purchased a Habitat home. However, borrowers who do not make good faith efforts to bring their mortgage current, who are continually 100 days or more late and those who ignore the attempts and services by staff to help eliminate the delinquency through payment plans and agreements end up in foreclosure. Our history shows that we only file a complaint for foreclosure, when absolutely necessary and all other attempts to communicate successfully have failed. I assure you it brings us no joy having to do so. But as trusted financial stewards of the grants, cash and material donations entrusted to us to build these homes, we cannot allow those who refuse to pay their mortgage to do so indefinitely.

Keeping that in mind, York Habitat has honored our Federal and State leaders request to postpone any legal foreclosure action until at least May 1 2020. If you have  previously been notified of our intent to foreclose due to severe delinquency, we'd ask you to consider catching up now if you can. The reality is you worked hard for your home, through sweat equity, budgeting sessions, first time home-buyer classes and cleaning up your credit and paying off judgements.  Please call our office if you have any questions. 

Finally, York Habitat for Humanity is committed to assisting you through this difficult time. We pray continually for you and we are only a phone call away, if you need us. All staff is working remotely, but checks messages daily and will return your call ASAP. Our office number is 717.854.6168. In the next few days please be on the lookout for helpful information from our Family Services Department on where you can get assistance with food and other resources if you need them. For more updates follow us on Facebook.

Be Safe. Stay Healthy!
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Blessings,
Tammi