HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, said that homeowners who are at risk for home foreclosure must act swiftly to receive limited funds available from the federal government.
“In the past, those in financial peril have been able to utilize the Pennsylvania Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program,” George said. “Unfortunately, it and other vital programs were scuttled by state budget cuts that I opposed.”
Though state funding for assistance was eliminated, $96 million in federal funding remain through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program. The program is for individuals who are at least three months delinquent on their mortgage as a result of involuntary unemployment, under employment, or medical reasons.
Those needing assistance must be the owner and occupant of the property in foreclosure. For further details, contact a Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency approved HEMAP counseling agency or call the PHFA at 1-800-342-2397 or online. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Sept. 16.
“I encourage anyone at risk of losing his or her home to act quickly,” George said.
In other news, Rep. George said state grants have recently been awarded for the following projects:
- Little Pine Resources, an oil and gas company with an office in Clearfield, has been approved for $25,000 in Ben Franklin Technology Partners funding to improve utilization of shallow natural gas wells in the region.
- Covington Township was awarded a $388 grant under the Sewage Facilities Enforcement Grants Program to reimburse half of the costs of sewage enforcement.
- The Clearfield-Lawrence Airport is receiving $30,000 in state funds to improve a hangar. The state money is a match of the local share.