Oklahoma Mortgage Relief: A Homeowner's Resource for Assistance

For Oklahoma homeowners facing financial hardship, finding a reliable mortgage relief program is a critical step toward securing their housing stability. While the primary state-wide resource, the Oklahoma Homeowner Assistance Fund, has recently changed its operational status, numerous other avenues for support remain available.

Navigating these options requires clear, current, and accurate information. The focus now shifts from a single, centralized fund to a broader landscape of federal, state, local, and tribal programs designed to prevent foreclosure and provide sustainable solutions for homeowners in distress.

Oklahoma Mortgage Relief: Current Status of the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

It is essential for homeowners to be aware of the current status of the state's primary relief initiative. The application portal for the Oklahoma Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), officially closed to all new applications on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

This step was taken to ensure that the available funds could be allocated effectively to the thousands of applications already received without overcommitting the program's resources.

Origins and Impact of the HAF Program

The HAF program was a significant lifeline for many Oklahomans. Established as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the initiative provided nearly $10 billion from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to states, U.S. Territories, and Tribal governments. The core purpose of these funds was to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, and foreclosures.

In Oklahoma, the program had a substantial impact. As of February 2024, HAF had granted $44.9 million in assistance to 2,811 approved applicants across 68 of the state's 77 counties. The average award per household was approximately $16,000, providing critical funds for mortgage reinstatement, principal reduction, and delinquent property taxes.

For HAF Applicants: Checking Your Application Status and What to Expect

For homeowners who successfully submitted an application before the March 20, 2024, deadline, the review process is ongoing. OHFA continues to evaluate all submitted applications, including those under appeal. Funding will be disbursed to eligible applicants until all program funds are expended, which may continue until the federal deadline of September 30, 2026.

How to Check Your Application Status

Applicants should actively monitor their application's progress through the official channels provided by OHFA.

• Online Portal: The most direct way to check a status is by logging into the HAF application portal at www.ohfa.org/haf.
• Phone Support: For direct assistance, applicants can contact the HAF Customer Service team at 833-208-2535 (Toll-Free) or 405-419-8202 (Local).
• Email Support: Inquiries can also be directed to the HAF team via email at hafapps@ohfa.org.

Understanding Application Statuses

The HAF portal uses several specific terms to describe an application's stage in the review process. Understanding these statuses can help manage expectations.

• Application Submitted: The application has been received and is in the queue for review.
• Under Specialist Review: The case is assigned to a HAF Specialist for initial eligibility review.
• More Info Needed – Instructions Sent to Email: The application is missing required information. The applicant must check their email for instructions.
• Communicating with Servicer: HAF is working with the mortgage servicer to confirm details. This is often the most time-consuming part of the process.
• Paid / Paid in Full: The application is approved, and payment has been sent to the mortgage servicer or other approved vendors.

Special Circumstances: Facing Foreclosure

If a homeowner submitted a HAF application by the deadline and has since received a foreclosure notice, they should immediately contact HAF Customer Service at 833-208-2535. Cases with a filed foreclosure are prioritized for review.

Immediate Steps for Homeowners Needing Mortgage Help Now

For homeowners who missed the HAF deadline or are newly facing financial distress, taking immediate action is crucial. The period after a missed payment is a critical window for finding solutions.

Step 1: Contact Your Mortgage Servicer Immediately

The single most important first step is to contact your mortgage servicer—the company that collects your payments. Foreclosure is a costly and lengthy process that servicers prefer to avoid, so they are often willing to work with homeowners who communicate their situation early.

Before calling, locate the servicer's phone number on your monthly statement. Be prepared to explain your financial hardship and provide basic details about your income and expenses. This conversation begins the formal "loss mitigation" process, which explores options to avoid foreclosure.

Step 2: Connect with a Free, HUD-Approved Housing Counselor

You do not have to navigate this complex process alone. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors a network of non-profit housing counseling agencies that provide expert guidance at no cost. A HUD-approved counselor is a certified professional who acts as your advocate.

A housing counselor can help by:

• Creating a personalized action plan.
• Explaining loss mitigation options in clear, understandable terms.
• Helping organize and complete the necessary paperwork.
• Participating in three-way calls with you and your servicer to facilitate negotiations.

Immediate, 24/7 access to this support is available through the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (4673). You can also find a local agency through the official HUD Counselor Locator tool online.

Step 3: Gather Your Financial Documents

Gathering financial documents in advance will significantly speed up the assistance process. The required paperwork is consistent across most programs.

• Recent mortgage statements.
• Proof of income for all household members (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s).
• A government-issued photo ID and Social Security card.
• A written statement explaining the financial hardship.
• Proof of primary residence, such as a recent utility bill.

Foreclosure Prevention Programs and Resources in Oklahoma

A network of federal, state, and non-profit programs exists to provide targeted assistance and foreclosure prevention services to Oklahoma homeowners.

Federal Mortgage Assistance Programs

Many mortgages are backed by the federal government, which provides access to specialized assistance programs.

• FHA Loans (HUD): The HUD National Servicing Center (NSC), with offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, helps homeowners with FHA-insured loans avoid foreclosure. Contact the FHA Resource Center at   1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342).
• VA Loans: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers robust support for eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses. The VA can intervene with the mortgage servicer to explore options. Information is available on the VA's housing assistance website.
• Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: These government-sponsored enterprises own a large percentage of conventional mortgages. Homeowners can use their official loan look-up tools to see if their loan is owned by one of them and explore available assistance.

State and Non-Profit Legal and Counseling Assistance

Several Oklahoma-based organizations provide invaluable legal support and advocacy.

• Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc.: This non-profit law firm provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Oklahomans, including foreclosure defense and help with loan modifications.  
• Neighborhood Housing Services Oklahoma (NHSOKLA): As a HUD-certified agency, NHSOKLA offers confidential foreclosure prevention counseling and acts as an advocate for homeowners. They can be reached at (405) 231-HOME.

Local and Tribal Mortgage Assistance Opportunities

Assistance in Oklahoma is often geographically or demographically targeted. Understanding these local programs is essential, as they represent vital resources that might otherwise be overlooked.

County-Specific Programs

Some counties operate their own emergency assistance programs through local community action agencies.

• Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City (CAA of OKC): This agency provides an Emergency Rent/Mortgage Assistance program for residents of Oklahoma and Canadian counties. Eligibility is based on income and a documented emergency. Contact their office at   405-232-0199 to inquire about fund availability.

Tribal Nation Programs

Sovereign Tribal Nations within Oklahoma received their own direct allocations of HAF money and operate distinct programs for their citizens. These programs may still be accepting applications.

• Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN): The Cherokee Nation offers a HAF program to assist eligible citizens who own a home within the reservation boundaries. Contact HACN at   918-456-5482 for more information.
• Housing Authority of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (HASNOK): HASNOK administers a HAF program for eligible Seminole Nation tribal homeowners and other Native American families in their service area. For details, contact the Housing Authority at   (405) 257-6604.

Understanding Your Loss Mitigation Options

"Loss mitigation" refers to the specific tools used to avoid foreclosure. These options generally fall into two categories: home retention and non-retention.

Retention Options (Staying in Your Home)

These options are designed to help you catch up on payments and remain in your property.

• Forbearance: A temporary agreement to pause or reduce payments for a specific period. Missed amounts must be repaid later.
• Repayment Plan: Allows you to catch up on delinquent payments over an extended period by adding a portion of the past-due amount to your regular monthly payment.
• Deferment/Partial Claim: Takes the total missed payments and sets them aside as a non-interest-bearing balance due at the end of the loan term.
• Loan Modification: A permanent change to your loan terms to make monthly payments more affordable, such as reducing the interest rate or extending the repayment term.

Non-Retention Options (Leaving Your Home Without Foreclosure)

If keeping the home is not sustainable, these options provide a way to transition out of the property while avoiding the severe credit damage of a foreclosure.

• Short Sale: The lender agrees to let you sell the property for less than the total amount owed on the mortgage.
• Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure: You voluntarily transfer the property title back to the lender in exchange for a release from the mortgage obligation.

Warning: Avoiding Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Desperate situations can make homeowners vulnerable to predatory scams. It is critical to recognize the warning signs.

• Anyone asking for a fee in advance to work with your lender.
• Guarantees that they can stop a foreclosure.
• Instructions to stop making mortgage payments and pay them instead.
• Pressure to sign over the deed or sign paperwork you don't understand.

Legitimate help is available for free from HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. You should never pay for foreclosure prevention services.

The Role of Bankruptcy in Preventing Foreclosure

When foreclosure is imminent and other options have been exhausted, bankruptcy can be a powerful legal tool to save a home. This decision has significant financial consequences and should not be taken lightly.

Introducing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

For homeowners, the most relevant form of bankruptcy is Chapter 13, a "reorganization" bankruptcy. Its primary benefit is the  automatic stay. The moment a Chapter 13 petition is filed, a legal injunction immediately halts all collection actions, including any pending foreclosure sale.

How Chapter 13 Works for Homeowners

Under Chapter 13, a homeowner proposes a three-to-five-year repayment plan to the court. This plan allows them to catch up on past-due mortgage payments over time. During the plan, the homeowner must also resume making their regular, ongoing mortgage payments to the servicer.

Crucial Caveats and Recommendations

Bankruptcy is a complex legal proceeding with long-term effects on credit. It is not a do-it-yourself process. Any homeowner considering this path should seek a consultation with a qualified Oklahoma bankruptcy attorney. For income-eligible individuals, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma may be able to provide free legal representation.

Frequently Asked Questions