COVID-19 Updates

Update May 3 2021
Mortgage Assistance Program, VHFA

The Mortgage Assistance Program is currently accepting applications from homeowners in Vermont.

What is the Vermont COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program?

The State of Vermont received money through the Federal CARES Act to help people pay back mortgage payments they have missed due to COVID-19. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is accepting applications starting May 3, 2021.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Homeowners living in Vermont as their primary residence
• Mortgage entered before March 1, 2020 (home-equity loans and reverse mortgage are NOT eligible)
• Missed payments since March 1, 2020 due to a COVID-19 hardship
• Income for all borrowers up to $84,000 in 2020 or up to $21,000 total income in the last 90 days. For homeowners in Chittenden County this limit is $96,000 in 2020 or $24,000 in the last 90 days.
• Eligible even if the mortgage is already in forbearance or deferment
• This is a mortgage foreclosure prevention program so only those households with mortgages are eligible to receive assistance with property taxes.

The program will offer relief to landlords on behalf of renters and tenants experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic through its 2nd round of federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

Update March 3, 2021

IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCES

Scams have gone on the rise with the pandemic. Learn more about how to report an identity theft here.

Update July 13, 2020

RELIEF PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS 

Rental Housing Stabilization Program: Tenants and landlords eligible, funds avaialble July 13-December 20th.

Vermont COVID Emergency Mortage Assistance Program: income limits apply, applications accepted July 13-August 31st.

Update June 10, 2020

Department of Human Resources Update- Farmers to Families Food Box Distribution

The Food Help Distribution is coming to Brattleboro Union High School on Thursday, June 11th. This is free and open to the public but requires registration. Timeslots from 12:45-1:45 are still open. Please visit the Department of Human Resources page here to register by scrolling down to the schedule.  Please share this information with those who need access to food. 

Update June 5, 2020

Resource Update- Free Milk

Today, Friday, June 5th the Strolling of the Heifers will be giving away free milk starting at 12:30 at the River Garden in downtown Brattleboro. Bring your mask and head down! This is a one-time event and is first come, first serve. 

The River Garden is located at 157 Main St. Brattleboro. 

Update April 24, 2020

Home Ownership Center- Mortgage Forbearence

If you can’t pay your mortgage or are worried about missing a mortgage payment due to COVID-19, you can seek assistance in managing your mortgage payments. There are easy steps to take to apply for forebearance. This video summarizes what servicers are qualified and how you can get support.

Please also know we are here to help as a resource and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Find specific contact information here.

Update April 7, 2020

Department of Labor

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL SERIES – UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 101 FOR CLAIMANTS

Update March 27, 2020
News Release from VT Department of Health

Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services are a Single Call Away

Health Department Launches VTHelplink Referral Resource

BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Department of Health has launched VTHelplink, a new, single source clearinghouse for Vermonters to receive free, confidential and personalized information and referrals to substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services throughout the state.

“The global pandemic has not erased the continued urgent need for substance use-related services for Vermonters,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “In fact, the extraordinary steps required to stop the spread of COVID-19 creates new challenges for people living with substance use disorder to get the services they need.”

VTHelplink features a call center of trained staff and clinicians. Callers can get information, referrals, resources and educational materials on substance use for themselves, family and friends, or on behalf of clients.

At the VTHelplink.org website, in addition to information resources, an online screening tool is available that Vermonters can use to learn about treatment options that meet their needs. People can also securely chat online with call center staff through the website.

The system also includes an appointment board designed to increase accessibility of treatment appointments by tracking availability by level of service (e.g., residential treatment) and population (e.g., people who are pregnant).

Dr. Levine said centralized coordination of substance use treatment and recovery services has been in the works for the past several years and complements the statewide referral and information services provided by Vermont211.

“These are more than simply difficult times, and we have no more important a mission than to do everything we can to create an infrastructure that bridges the challenges we face during this pandemic. VTHelplink is key resource for anyone who needs or wants to get treatment and succeed in their recovery,” said Dr. Levine. “We are all in this together, and we will persevere.”

Here’s how you can reach VTHelplink:

Dial 802-565-LINK (5465). The call center is open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekdays, and 8:00 a.m to -6:00 p.m. weekends and holidays, 365 days per year.

Visit VTHelplink.org

For up to date COVID-19 information, guidance and resources go to healthvermont.gov.

Update March 24, 2020
Memo from Home Ownership Center Director, Bruce Whitney

To All Homeowners,
Please find information on mortgage payments and options, Home Repair Loan repayment options, and Land Lease repayment options below. Specific resource links can be found in the resource sidebar on the website.

Mortgage Evictions, Foreclosure, Repayment Options
Due to the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 virus, foreclosures and evictions are suspended for homeowners with a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac backed single-family mortgage, and all USDA Single Family Housing Direct Loans for at least 60 days. In addition, Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would provide payment forbearance to borrowers impacted by the coronavirus. Forbearance allows for a mortgage payment to be suspended for up to 12 months due to hardship caused by the coronavirus.

If I can’t pay my mortgage loan, what are my options?
If you can’t pay your mortgage or are worried about missing a mortgage payment, call your mortgage servicer right away. You should also contact a HUD-approved housing counselor to get free, expert assistance on avoiding foreclosure. For more detailed information for homeowners, find a step by step guide with contact information here.

Home Repair Loan Repayment Options
If coronavirus has caused job loss, income reduction, sickness, or other issues that impact your ability to make your monthly home repair loan, relief options are available.

• Homeowners impacted by this national emergency are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months
• Homeowners in a forbearance plan will not incur late fees
• Credit bureau reporting of past due payments of borrowers in a forbearance plan as a result of hardships attributable to this national emergency is suspended
• After forbearance, the borrower must work with WWHT on a permanent workout option to help maintain or reduce monthly payment amounts as necessary, including a loan modification

Paying your Shared Equity Land Lease
If coronavirus has caused job loss, income reduction, sickness, or other issues that impact your ability to make your monthly land lease fee, relief options are available. Please call (802) 246-2116 to discuss options.

Paying your Shared Equity Land lease property taxes
If coronavirus has caused job loss, income reduction, sickness, or other issues that impact your ability to make your land property taxes, relief options may be available. Please call the Town to discuss options. Once you have spoken with the Town call us at 246-2116 to let us know what the Town is able to do and discuss further options with us.

These are challenging times, but we are working to support our clients, residents, and programs to the fullest extent. The wellbeing of our community means everything to us. Please take precautionary measures and stay safe and healthy.

Be well,
Bruce

Update March 13, 2020

As of Monday, March 16th, our offices are closed to the public and all communications with our residents, homeowners, applicants and the general public will be conducted via phone and email. There will be limited staff in our main office in order to maintain the social distancing recommended by health officials.

Residents will still be able to drop off their rent via the locked drop box at our main office in Brattleboro or pay their rent via US post. More detailed information has been sent via US post to each resident and can be found here.

All group classes and activities will be suspended until further notice. This includes activities at our SASH site and Great River Terrace as well as in person Homebuyer Education classes. Registrants for our homebuyer education classes will be encouraged to sign up for our online education option. Home owners, home buyers, and Green Mountain Home Repair clients can access more specific information here.

Although the office will be closed, the staff will continue to support the WWHT community and programs. In order to efficiently reach your contact staff member, please refer to the staff contact list on our website. 24/7 emergency maintenance service is always available to our tenants through our emergency maintenance line at (800) 942-3599.

WWHT continues to monitor the COVID-19 virus. As the situation evolves, we will post updates on our website, Facebook page, and via email. We are regularly updating our procedures and protocols to insure our residents and staff are safe. Staff are being advised to monitor their own health and to take extra precautions.

Please take the necessary steps to ensure your own continued health by focusing on hand washing, staying away from large group gatherings, and avoiding contact with those who have been sick. For up-to-date information on the situation in Vermont, please visit Vermont Department of Health‘s website.

To read updates on the virus worldwide, please visit the World Health Organization’s website.