VHAP program for homeowners no longer accepting applications Update on 8/28/2023: The last day to submit an application for the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program (VHAP) was June 12, 2023. There was a waitlist, but it is also now closed. The Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program (VHAP) provided grants of up to $40,000 to eligible homeowners who have financial problems because of COVID and are behind on expenses for the house they own and live in. If you have questions about VHAP, call Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 and choose option #2. If you applied for help with your utility bills through VHAP, contact your utility companies to tell them you applied for help. Some utilities say they will not disconnect Vermonters during the application process. If it is a private electric or natural gas utility, they cannot shut off your services while you have a VHAP application pending. To avoid a shutoff, give them your VHAP application ID number. Have questions? Call Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 and choose option #2 or use our online form if you have questions about foreclosure, property tax sales, or missed payments for mortgages, mobile home loans, property tax, utilities, homeowner’s insurance, homeowner association fees and mobile home lot rent (for mobile home owners only). I am not paying my mortgage or property taxes. What should I do? Contact us with questions about foreclosure, property tax sales, or missed payments for mortgages, mobile home loans, property tax, utilities, homeowner’s insurance, homeowner association fees and mobile home lot rent (for mobile home owners only). I was served with a Summons and Complaint for foreclosure When you are served with a Summons and Complaint for a foreclosure lawsuit, it is important to talk to a lawyer right away. Fill out our form and we will call you back. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont. You can also call us at 1-800-889-2047. We can give you quick advice or possibly a referral to a lawyer. You should file an Answer. You can use our Answer form. Your signature on the Answer does not have to be notarized. Instead it must say: “I declare that the above statement is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that it the above statement is false, I will be subject to the penalty of perjury or other sanctions in the discretion of the court.” The Answer must be delivered, mailed or emailed to the court and a copy sent to your lender’s attorney. If you have a pending VHAP application, you should file a Request for Stay. If approved, this will stay (pause) your case. You can use this Request for Stay form. (Court rules say that your lender will also send you one of these forms.) Your case will be stayed (paused) until VHAP approves, denies or closes your application. The Request for Stay must be delivered, mailed or emailed to the court and a copy sent to your lender’s attorney. I got a Writ of Possession but want to stay in my home You can file a motion to stay the Writ of Possession. Here are some reasons you can ask for the Writ of Possession to be stayed (paused): You are getting a forbearance from your lender. You will be able to reinstate your mortgage as soon as you get assistance from the state. You have a medically vulnerable person in your household, and it is not safe to try to find another place to live. Contact us for advice. My town scheduled a property tax sale If you applied for VHAP, tell your town clerk. This must be in writing and should include your VHAP application number (VHFA-XXXXXXXX). You can use our Homeowner’s Notice to Town Form. After you tell your town, your town should not sell or transfer your property while the VHAP application is pending. If the town tells you it is still planning to proceed with the sale or transfer of your property, contact us for advice. See our Property Taxes page for more information on tax sales and property tax abatement. Contact us with questions about property tax sales. Who can I talk to about my situation? 1. Contact us with questions about foreclosure, property tax sales, or missed payments for mortgages, mobile home loans, property tax, utilities, homeowner’s insurance and homeowner association fees. 2. Your local Homeownership Center can help. They can: help you assess your current housing situation and needs provide delinquency and foreclosure assistance help you understand the foreclosure process to better navigate a successful outcome, or help you work with your loan servicer on a repayment plan or viable workout option. Follow this link to see which Homeownership Center covers your area. 3. Vermont Veterans: Contact the Safely Home project for advice and help. More information National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) COVID-19 web page and mortgages and foreclosure handout. Rights of Tenants When a Landlord is in Foreclosure page on our website. Category COVID-19 Crisis, Mortgages and Foreclosures COVID-19 Crisis, Mortgages and Foreclosures Print
