Welcome to the Mortgage Payment Assistance (MPA) Program funded by the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization (OHSI) Program. The MPA Program is a State funded program that will be providing qualified homeowners monthly mortgage assistance for 12 months or a maximum of $20,000, whichever threshold is reached first. Visit the OHSI website for more state-wide information about the program at http://www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org/en/faq.
The MPA program application period was from December 10, 2010 to January 14, 2011. The program is now closed and is no longer taking applications.
OHSI is a government entity funded by Federal funds. NeighborImpact is a separate, non-profit organization that has been providing human services to the tri-county area for more than 25 years. OHSI has contracted with NeighborImpact to provide administrative and homeowner support for Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties throughout the course of the program.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions -- General
Frequently Asked Questions – Payments
Frequently Asked Questions – Eligibility
Workshops & Counseling Services
MPA Homeowner Update (Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties)
So far, we have received about 75% of the loan documents we are expecting. We are continuing to receive loan documents from the State of Oregon and will be calling homeowners in the order that we receive them. If you have not received a call yet, that means we have not received your loan documents yet. Outside of this, NeighborImpact does not have information specific to your case. For specific information about your case, please contact the State of Oregon at 503-986-2025 or by email homeownerhelp@hcs.state.or.us.
The following table explains each step your application will go through:
OHSI Step |
Description |
Why you might hear from NeighborImpact |
Potential Results/ Bottom line |
Servicer approval of your application |
Once your servicer has agreed to participate, they review your application and must agree to accept payment from OHSI on your behalf. |
Servicers will not review an application with an “Incorrect” Release of Information form. OHSI notifies NeighborImpact and we will call you to get an updated Release of Information form. Then your file will be sent back to the servicer for reconsideration. |
This is just a small step, early in the process, for a few people. Your file will still have to go through underwriting. But it typically does not result in any files being rejected. |
Underwriting |
A state underwriter at OHSI reviews your file to make sure that your documentation is complete and that you meet all the eligibility requirements. |
If your file has a missing document, such as a pay stub, OHSI will notify NeighborImpact and we will call you to get the needed documents. |
The underwriters need the new documents before they can determine final approval. There is still a chance that they will find a serious issue and that you were not actually eligible. |
Loan documents to NeighborImpact |
Once your file is given final approval, OHSI creates your loan documents and sends them to NeighborImpact. |
NeighborImpact will email the loan documents to you and call you to schedule a time to come in and sign your documents. |
After the loan documents are signed, your servicer will begin to receive mortgage payments on your behalf. |
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If you have a pending foreclosure sale
We know that the extension of the state’s timeline is hardest on homeowners who have foreclosure sale dates. Please be in contact with your lender to explain that your application has been preliminarily approved and is being reviewed by the state’s underwriting department. The state recommends that you provide your lender with a copy of the Determination Letter you received from NeighborImpact stating that your application was submitted and a copy of the email from the state sent the first week in February 2011 confirming your eligibility. If your sale date is approaching in two weeks or less, please contact the state directly at 503-986-2025 or by email homeownerhelp@hcs.state.or.us.
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When will my payment be made?
According to the State of Oregon, payments will be wired to your servicer in the same month they were received, if your loan documents are received by the state before the 20th of the month. These payments are projected to be wired at the end of the month. However, it may take days or weeks before the payment is applied to your account. If your payment due date is approaching and you are concerned the State’s payment will be late, we encourage you to make your payment if you can. NeighborImpact has no information as to the status of your payment. To find out if your payment has been received, you must contact your mortgage company. If your payment has not been received you may contact the State of Oregon at 503-986-2025 or email at homeownerhelp@hcs.state.or.us.
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Income Verification
After the State of Oregon makes their first payment to your servicer, you will receive an email letter indicating that you need to begin submitting monthly Income Verification and begin your first quarter of the Homeowner Education Program (HEP). The letter will contain a link from the State’s website (www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org) and basic instructions for completing Income Verification. You will not be able to register and complete Income Verification until you receive this letter from the State.
You will need to check your email regularly and go to the State’s website (www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org) monthly to complete your Income Verification. If your Income Verification is submitted incorrectly or is not received, we will be contacting people by email.
Income Verification documents must be submitted between the 1st and 10th of every month.
While you are no longer required to submit income documentation (pay stubs, unemployment records, etc.), Income Verification will be subject to random audits. This means that if you are randomly selected for an audit you will be required to produce income documentation to verify the information you have declared to the state. It is critical that you save all income documentation during this program so that you can comply with audit requirements if necessary.
Orientations with step-by-step instructions for Income Verification will be scheduled as needed.
To view the slide show presented at the Orientations go to How to Submit Your Income Verification.
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Homeowner Education Program (HEP)
After the State of Oregon makes their first payment to your servicer, you will receive an email letter indicating that you need to begin submitting monthly Income Verification and complete your HEP requirement for the quarter. The letter will contain a link from the State’s website (www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org) and basic instructions for completing HEP. You will not be able to register and complete HEP until you receive this letter from the State.
One person on the MPA loan must participate in the HEP each quarter. During your HEP quarter you will need to complete the online questionnaire, view the videos or take the classes, obtain your Certificate of Completion, complete the worksheets in the second and third month of your first quarter and submit these documents with your Income Verification in the month following the end of your quarter.
For example, if you start your Income Verification in July, then July is the first month of your HEP quarter. You would need to complete the questionnaire, view the videos or take the classes, obtain your Certificate of Completion, complete the worksheets in the months of August and September, and then submit these documents with your Income Verification in October.
If you submit your HEP documents before the month they are due, you will be asked to resend the documents in the correct month, by the 10th of the month.
Orientations with step-by-step instructions for HEP will be scheduled as needed.
To view the slide show presented at the Orientations go to How to Complete Your HEP Requirement.
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