Senator Johnson Urges Residents in Mortgage Arrears to Contact LI Housing Partnership

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon) is encouraging Long Island residents who are in mortgage arrears and may be at risk of foreclosing on their homes to contact the Long Island Housing Partnership for help.  According to Johnson, the Long Island Housing Partnership offers default and foreclosure prevention counseling to homeowners, and also offers a loan program called the Home Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) that offers gap mortgage assistance to qualified homeowners.  The program is funded in part by a grant secured by the Senator.

To qualify for HEMAP assistance, homeowners must be able to show that their inability to pay their mortgage is temporary and that, ultimately, they will be able to repay the loan.  Homeowners who have fallen ill, are temporarily out of work, or who lost a spouse who provided the family’s main source of income are typical profiles of individuals who might benefit from HEMAP.

Loan applicants must not be more than 12 months in arrears, and must be in a positive financial situation where they can demonstrate that they can resume making full mortgage payments and repay the HEMAP loan.  The program has also been expanded to include members of the armed forces on active duty in an effort to help families better adjust to the difficulties wartime presents.

“During these difficult economic times, homeowners need to know that there is a place they can turn to for assistance and advice,” said Senator Johnson.  “The Long Island Housing Partnership has helped many Long Island families weather financial storms and, in this time of crisis, may be able to help struggling Long Island families avoid foreclosure and keep their homes.”

To contact the Long Island Housing Partnership, homeowners can call (631) 435-4710 or visit their website at lihp.org for more information.