Short answer
HEMAP is the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program run by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. It can lend up to $60,000 to eligible homeowners who are at least 60 days behind and received an Act 91 notice. The home must be owner-occupied, and the hardship must be beyond your control.
Basic rules
PHFA says to qualify you must be at least 60 days delinquent on your mortgage and have received an Act 91 notice. The home must be an owner-occupied, one- or two-family residence in Pennsylvania. FHA Title II loans are ineligible. The hardship must be due to circumstances beyond your control, such as job loss from layoffs, medical issues or divorce. Quitting a job or mismanaging money does not count.
The loan itself
The maximum HEMAP loan is $60,000. PHFA says the loan covers a period of 24 or 36 months from the date of the mortgage delinquency, and you contribute a share of your net monthly income, with a minimum of $25 per month. You also have to show a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the 24 or 36 month period, based on employment history, skills and an active job search. Think of HEMAP as a bridge, not a gift. You borrow to bring your mortgage current and repay on a schedule with a share of your net monthly income, and PHFA sets a $25 monthly minimum. The bridge only works if you can walk across it, meaning your income must recover. That is why PHFA asks about your work history and job search. Be honest in the interview. If the bridge is unlikely to hold, a counselor may point you to another option.
How to apply
You must meet with an approved counseling agency within 33 days of the date of the Act 91 notice. The agency submits your application to PHFA within 30 days of the face-to-face meeting. PHFA decides within 60 days of receiving the application. PHFA lists phone numbers of 717.780.3940 and 1.800.342.2397 for help finding an agency.
Common reasons people do not qualify
Read the rules before you apply. PHFA says FHA Title II loans are ineligible, and the home must be an owner-occupied one- or two-family residence in Pennsylvania. A rental or business property does not fit. The hardship must be beyond your control, and PHFA specifically says job loss from layoffs, medical issues or divorce count, while quitting a job or mismanaging money do not. You must also show a reasonable prospect of resuming full payments. Missing the 33-day window to meet a counselor is the most avoidable problem. If you are unsure, call the HEMAP line at 717.780.3940 or 1.800.342.2397 and ask.
If HEMAP does not fit
HEMAP is a loan, not a gift, and it has limits. If you cannot show that you can resume payments, or your hardship is not covered, a sale may be the better route. Kaizen Home Buyers buys as-is for cash with no repairs and no agent commission. We make an offer within 24 hours and can close in 14 to 30 days or on your date. Call 267-329-0084. A housing counselor can help you compare.