Written By: Helena Jones
As a retired widow, Mary J. understood being the primary breadwinner in her home was going to be a challenging and sometimes stressful role to take on. Mary was determined to seek out some assistance and support allowing her to cover her mortgage payments and water bill.
Unfortunately, with Mary being on a fixed income and Social Security benefits, her income was not enough for her to qualify for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). Even with the part-time position Mary picked up, she still wasn’t able to qualify for HAF. The process of qualifying and obtaining these funds can be very lengthy and dispiriting, but despite the less fortunate news, Mary remained patient and hopeful.
That faith and patience eventually paid off as Mary received an 8.7 percent increase in her Social Security benefits, which helped her mortgage fall below 40 percent of her gross monthly income. She was then approved for HAF and also for the $10,000 grant for home repairs by the HAF Whole Home Repair Program.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore takes pride in continuously assisting people on their journey to maintaining their livelihood and independence. From new to retired homeowners, NHS is always here to provide support and guidance so the Baltimore community can continue to grow and succeed.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore
Removing Barriers to Sustainable Homeownership Since 1974.