Delaware Mortgage Relief Program: Status and Where Homeowners Can Get Help Now

Is the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program still open?

No. The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program was paid for by the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund, a one-time pandemic program created by the American Rescue Plan. In a September 2023 state announcement, Delaware said it had paid more than $30 million to over 12,000 Delawareans and expected the program to run out of money by early 2024. It has since stopped taking applications, and Housing Delaware’s foreclosure prevention page no longer lists it as an option.

The table below shows where the main Delaware programs stood when we checked on October 25, 2026. Program status can change, so confirm on the agency’s site.

What the relief program offered

When it was open, the program helped homeowners who had a financial hardship after January 21, 2020. According to the state’s announcement, it paid up to $50,000 toward housing-related past-due amounts, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner association dues, and homeowners insurance. A separate repair part paid up to $20,000 for critical repairs like heating, plumbing, electrical work, mold, lead paint, and accessibility changes. Payments went straight to servicers or contractors, not to homeowners.

Some other states still had Homeowner Assistance Fund money later than Delaware did. For an overview of what remains open elsewhere, see our guide to mortgage relief programs.

Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program

DEMAP is a separate, state-run program that has historically offered loans to help homeowners catch up on their mortgage after a hardship such as job loss or illness. As of our check, Housing Delaware says it is not currently accepting applications for DEMAP and asks homeowners to check back for updates. Because past DEMAP terms may not match a future reopening, we do not list loan amounts here. If it reopens, the rules will be posted on the Housing Delaware website. You can also call (302) 739-4263 or toll-free (888) 363-8808 to ask.

Free housing counselors in Delaware

Housing Delaware calls a certified housing counselor “the safest first step” for any homeowner in trouble. A HUD-approved counselor can review your budget, explain your options, help you fill out your servicer’s hardship application, and talk to your lender for you, at no charge. Find a Delaware agency on the Housing Delaware counselor list, or call HUD’s housing counseling line at 800-569-4287.

• Bring your mortgage statement and any letters from your servicer or the court.
• Be honest about your budget, since a plan you cannot keep will not help.
• Ask the counselor to join calls with your servicer if you are getting nowhere.

Foreclosure mediation for Delaware homeowners

Delaware forecloses through the courts. Since January 19, 2012, the state has run the Automatic Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. It gives homeowners a chance to meet face to face with their lender, with a neutral mediator, to try to reach an agreement. The Department of Justice describes it as free.

The notice that comes with the foreclosure papers tells you how and when to take part. Act quickly, because deadlines are short. The usual first step is to call the hotline or meet with a housing counselor, who helps you complete the paperwork for the mediation conference. The program’s founding law has been extended several times; the DOJ page showed current data when we checked, but confirm it is still running by calling the hotline.

Options your loan servicer can offer

Your mortgage servicer, the company you send payments to, may be able to help even when no state program is open. The CFPB explains these choices on its loss mitigation page. Federal rules in 12 CFR 1024.41 also give you protections. For example, a servicer generally cannot start a foreclosure until you are more than 120 days behind, and a complete application sent on time can pause certain foreclosure steps.

• Repayment plan: spread past-due amounts over several months on top of regular payments.
• Forbearance: pause or reduce payments for a short time while you recover.
• Loan modification: change the rate, term, or balance to lower the payment.
• Partial claim or deferral: move missed payments to the end of the loan, common with FHA and some Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans.
• Short sale or deed in lieu: leave the home without a full foreclosure.

For more ways to cover a payment this month, see our guide to emergency help with mortgage payments.

Property tax and senior help

Unpaid property taxes, water, or sewer bills can also lead to losing a home. Housing Delaware lists the Wilmington Senior Tax Assistance Program for homeowners in the City of Wilmington who are 62 or older and face foreclosure because of delinquent property taxes or water and sewer bills. The maximum grant is $3,000. Older homeowners elsewhere in the state should ask their county about senior property tax relief, and can find more state programs in our Delaware assistance programs guide.

Free legal help and scam warnings

If you have been served with foreclosure papers, free legal help can make a real difference. Community Legal Aid Society, Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, and Delaware Volunteer Legal Services help eligible Delawareans with housing cases. You can also dial Delaware 211 for local referrals.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

Steps to take this week

1. Open every letter from your servicer and the court, and note any dates.
2. Call a HUD-approved housing counselor through Housing Delaware or 800-569-4287.
3. Call your servicer and ask for a loss mitigation application.
4. If you were served with a foreclosure, call the mediation hotline at 1-800-220-5424 right away.
5. Check DEMAP status on the Housing Delaware site or by phone.
6. Contact legal aid if a court date is set.

Related guides

• Delaware rent relief program
• Delaware utility relief programs
• Delaware unclaimed property
• Catholic Charities mortgage assistance

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Program status can change at any time. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with Housing Delaware, the Delaware Department of Justice, or any lender.