Mortgage Servicing

WARNING: FRAUDULENT CALLS!  We will NEVER call you asking for personal information, information about your loan, and we do not have a third party servicer servicing your loan. If you think you have received a scam call, hang up. For questions, call the number listed on your mortgage statement.

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Pilot Program
Montana’s HAF program is currently in a pilot stage. This pilot program is being offered to Montana Housing borrowers only, at Treasury’s directive. The pilot program is a scaled back version of the statewide program that will be launched in Spring of 2022. Please see additional information below on pilot program eligibility requirements.

HAF Pilot Program Overview
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) to mitigate financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The HAF Program provides funds for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020 through qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing.

Eligible Homeowners
Pilot program applicants must have a delinquent Montana Housing loan, and must be able to resume making regular monthly payments. For additional information and eligibility requirements, please click here.

CARES Act Consumer Right to Request Forbearance

Montana Housing homeowners with a federally backed mortgage loan experiencing financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic may request forbearance on their federally backed mortgage loan, regardless of delinquency status.

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which provides for the right to request forbearance.

Please review the Montana Housing COVID-19 Response letter for details.

Moratorium Extensions:

FHA’s Foreclosure Moratorium Expires July 31, 2021 and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through September 30, 2021
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published Mortgagee Letter (ML 2021-19). This ML announces the extension of the foreclosure related eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 and reminds mortgagees of the July 31, 2021 expiration of the foreclosure moratorium announced in Mortgagee Letter (ML 2021-15). This guidance is applicable to all FHA Title II single family forward mortgage and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (reverse) programs, except for those secured by vacant and/or abandoned properties.

RD’s Foreclosure Moratorium Expires July 31, 2021 and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through September 30, 2021
The notice announced by USDA, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) on July 30, 2021 provides an extension of the eviction moratorium until September 30, 2021 and communicates the July 31, 2021 expiration of the foreclosure moratorium. The moratorium does not apply in cases where the servicer has documented the property is vacant or abandoned.

VA’s Foreclosure Moratorium Expires July 31, 2021 and Eviction Moratorium Extended Through September 30, 2021
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed loans are subject to Circular 26-21-14 on evictions through September 30, 2021. The moratorium does not apply to vacant or abandoned properties.

Forbearance Requirements:

To Request a Forbearance
Montana Housing borrowers must submit a completed Montana Housing COVID19 Forbearance Acknowledgment form. Upon receipt of the completed form, Montana Housing Loan Servicing Specialist will contact the borrower to discuss next steps. It is critical that borrowers keep in contact with us during this time so we can identify the best option available to each borrower, based on individual circumstances.

FHA Timeframe to Request the Initial Forbearance Extended
Pursuant to Mortgagee Letter (ML 2021-24), FHA has provided up to six months of COVID-19 forbearance for borrowers who request their initial COVID-19 forbearance between October 1, 2021 and the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency, and an additional six months if the forbearance is exhausted or expires before the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency.

USDA-RD Timeframe to Request the Initial Forbearance Extended
USDA-RD has extended the timeframe for borrowers to request the initial forbearance per recent guidance. USDA has removed the September 30, 2021 deadline for a borrower to request initial payment forbearances due to the COVID-19 National Emergency. Borrowers may request assistance until the end of the National Emergency is declared. 

VA Timeframe to Request the Initial Forbearance Extended
On September 29th, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed loans has extended the timeframe to request the initial forbearance per Circular 26-21-20. Borrowers who have not received a COVID-related forbearance as of the circular’s date may request one if the request is made during the COVID-19 National Emergency.

Montana Housing must follow the guidelines set forth by the insurer/guarantor (FHA, VA, RD, HUD-184) of your loan. These guidelines allow Montana Housing to offer loan modifications, payment plans, and forbearance but do not allow us to defer payments. Montana Housing, as a loan servicer of federally insured mortgages, applauds the passage of the federal CARES Act to provide relief for our homeowners.
 
Consumer Finance Protection Agency Guide to coronavirus mortgage relief options  

CARES Act Forbearance Fact Sheet for Borrowers with FHA, VA, or USDA Loans

Federal Housing Administration COVID-19 Questions and Answers 

Post Forbearance Options:

Upon completion of the forbearance, Montana Housing will work with borrowers to resolve past due payments by offering an affordable repayment plan or evaluate borrowers for all available loss mitigation options.

Commitment to Fair Housing 

Montana Housing makes all determinations with respect to the adequacy of the borrower’s income in a uniform manner without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap, marital status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income of the borrower, or location of the property.

Fair housing violations and complaints may be reported online using the HUD Form 903 Online Complaint, contacting HUD’s local FHEO Regional Office or by calling the Fair Housing Complaint Hotline at 1-800-669-9777.

Visit our page on fair housing for more information. 

Annual Statements

Montana Housing mails two statements to borrowers each year:

• Year-End Statement is issued in January for tax purposes and includes details on interest, taxes, insurance and mortgage principal paid during the prior year.
• Escrow Account Disclosure Statement details monthly applied payments and disbursements for property taxes and insurance from the borrower’s escrow account. Additional escrow analysis information is included in the Welcome Packet.