New $273 million fund available to NC homeowners for help with bills

Nearly two years into the pandemic and almost a year after Congress approved the aid, funds are finally available to North Carolina homeowners who can show they've struggled due to job loss or illness related to COVID-19.

"We do expect there will be a fair amount of need across the state," said Connie Helmlinger, marketing manager of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

North Carolina is the 14th state to begin distributing aid.

"We are extremely excited this program is finally available, and we look forward to helping as many people as we can with it," Hemlinger said.

North Carolina Homeowner Assistance funds can be used for mortgage payments, to catch up on past-due bills, or other housing-related costs including insurance, HOA fees or property taxes.

Any North Carolina homeowner with an income up to $79,900 who can demonstrate pandemic-related financial hardship is eligible for aid. Each household could get up to $40,000. Those who have lost a job, had hours cut or incurred additional costs for child care are encouraged to apply.

Seth Friedman works at Passage Home, a community action agency that works to prevent families in Wake County from falling into poverty.

"They’re terrified of becoming homeless or losing their home in this area," he says of his clients.

According data from the North Carolina Housing Coalition, more than 42,000 households struggle to meet their mortgage payment. In Durham County, 19% are struggling; in Wake that percentage is 17; and a quarter of homeowners in Cumberland County are having a tough time.

"People have gone through a lot of economic impacts from the pandemic, particularly those people whose industries went away, who lost their jobs," Hemlinger said.