HEMAP Program is Closed
PA homeowners are left without
protection from foreclosure
Update on our meeting with Attorney General Linda Kelly on April 24, 2012
Click here to see the letter sent to Governor Corbett on February 1, 2012
News Headlines
Reverend Randy Barge of Olney Presbyterian Church speaks at a prayer vigil to restore the HEMAP program for struggling Pennsylvania homeowners outside the Philadelphia office of Governor Corbett in Philadelphia on Thursday November 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
- Sheriff Retracts Speech, Withdraws Fee Hike
- Pa. foreclosures outpace U.S. rate
- Judge saves foreclosure program
- Foreclosure Diversion Program Out of Danger
- Americans brace for next foreclosure wave
- Council: Mortgage program works fine
- Foreclosures: Many families are still suffering, and state's settlement money can help
- Foreclosure Filings Up After GOP Defunds HEMAP
- Foreclosures Up Sharply, PCC Urges Restoration of Mortgage Assistance Program
- Foreclosure Starts On The Rise, Driven By Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac
- Report: Foreclosures rising in Pa.
- The Pennsylvania Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) has been in operation since 1983. Since then HEMAP has provided low interest loans to save the homes of over 46,000 PA homeowners who were facing foreclosure through no fault of their own.
- HEMAP was closed on July 1, 2011 due to lack of funding. Only $2 million was included in the state budget, which was not enough to allow the program to operate this year.
read more
- HEMAP has provided loans to deserving homeowners behind on their mortgage through no fault of their own. Over 46,000 Pennsylvania families have received aid from HEMAP since 1984 and 85% have been able to maintain their homes long term. Write a letter in support of HEMAP -(opens sample letter in Microsoft Word)
Reverend Sandi Strauss of the PA Council of Churches
speaks on behalf of homeowners at a HEMAP Rally
in the Capitol on Sept. 27, 2011.
Federal funds available for mortgage assistance closed as of September 16, 2011.
The Emergency Homeowner Loan Program has provided Pennsylvania with $106 million to help pay the mortgages of the unemployed, underemployed or ill homeowners.
Resources
SB1433: Homeowner Assistance Settlement Act (PDF)
TRF Research Brief:
What if Pennsylvania Had Not Had HEMAP?
HEMAP No Funds 2011 (PDF)
Year End EHLP Assistance in PA
EHLP Loan Commitment Amounts by County
HEMAP grants per House district
HEMAP grants per Sentate district
Sample Letter to Support HEMAP (opens a Word document)
Click here for the letter to Judge Herron (Microsoft Word document)
Get Involved
Organizations Participating in the PA Save Our Homes Coalition
Diversion Program Out of Danger
The Philadelphia Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion program is now out of danger. Judge John Herron, Administrative Judge of Court of Common Pleas announced on April 17 that he was withdrawing his order to restrict the Diversion program by capping the time families had to negotiate with the banks. Many thanks to the individuals and organizations that joined together to protect the Diversion program. Our actions made the difference and Philadelphia homeowners will continue to have the benefit of this important program during this difficult time. Councilpeople Curtis Jones and Marian Tasco were important for their leadership in City Council to support Diversion.
Philadelphia Foreclosure Diversion Program (PDF)
Philadelphia Tribune articles: Council: Mortgage program works fine | Judge saves foreclosure program
- Email PA Attorney General Linda Kelly and tell her federal settlement funds should go toward restoring HEMAP.
- Contact your state legislator today and tell them to restore funding to HEMAP. You can see a sample letter here.
Don't know who your legislator is? Click here to find them: http://guide.seventy.org/ - Sign our petition
Past Events
- Homeowners, housing counselors, organizations join together as part of the Save Our Homes Coalition to press City Council to oppose changes to the Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program. March 29, 2011.
See slides - Lobby Day and Rally to Restore the HEMAP Program
April 3, 2012 in Harrisburg
See slides - Stop Foreclosures! Rally, November 3, 2011
See slides - Rally and Lobby Day, Harrisburg, Tuesday, September 27.
view rally coverage and photo