Is there help available to pay my mortgage in Cuyahoga County?
Yes, the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) provides one-time mortgage assistance to Cuyahoga County homeowners who meet the HUD income eligibility guidelines and who have difficulty paying their mortgages because of the financial impact of Covid-19.
The mortgage assistance funds are available for homeowners in most Cuyahoga County communities, but not Brecksville, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Hunting Valley, Lakewood or Parma. Individuals who live in these communities and in counties other than Cuyahoga should call 2-1-1 to request referrals for foreclosure prevention/mortgage payment assistance.
How much mortgage assistance money is available?
Up to $2,000 per homeowner or per co-owners if property is jointly owned.
Will I have to pay the mortgage assistance money back?
Homeowners approved for mortgage assistance will sign a Note and Mortgage with Cuyahoga County for a 0% interest, deferred loan. The homeowner will be required to pay off the loan upon transfer or sale of the property. Homeowners will not be required to make monthly payments to pay off the mortgage assistance.
Am I eligible for this mortgage assistance?
To eligible for the Mortgage Assistance Program:
- The property must be in Cuyahoga County, but not Brecksville, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Hunting Valley, Lakewood or Parma.
- The homeowner must have a mortgage and must have missed one or more mortgage payments due to COVID.
- The house must have no more than 2 units, and one must be the homeowner’s primary residence.
- The homeowner’s income must be enough to cover mortgage payments after receipt of the mortgage assistance.
- The household income must be under these income limits:
| Income Limits | Maximum Current Income |
| Household Size | 80% Annual |
| 1 | $42,600 |
| 2 | $48,650 |
| 3 | $54,750 |
| 4 | $60,800 |
| 5 | $65,700 |
| 6 | $70,550 |
| 7 | $75,400 |
| 8 | $80,300 |
- Homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages can only be assisted if their rate can be converted to a fixed rate as part of the workout, or the counseling agency determines that the homeowner can afford the highest possible rate under the existing loan terms.
- Property taxes and insurance must be escrowed by the mortgage lender (if not currently escrowed, taxes/insurance must start being escrowed to receive mortgage assistance).
- The homeowner must agree to attend one counseling session per quarter in the year following the execution of the County Note & Mortgage
How do I apply for the mortgage assistance program?
There are four housing counseling agencies that are processing applications for the Cuyahoga County mortgage assistance program and providing the financial counseling sessions. Homeowners should contact one of the programs listed here:
CHN Housing Partners
216-881-8443
https://chnhousingpartners.org/
ESOP
216-361-0718
https://www.esop-cleveland.org/
Community Housing Solutions
216-231-5815
Breaking Chains, Inc.
216-464-0699
https://breakingchainsinc.org/
How long will the program be available for?
The program started on 1/1/2021 and will end when funding runs out (no later than 12/21/2022).
Can I pay my property taxes through this program?
The payments are only for mortgage payments, not for direct property tax payments to the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office. If your property taxes are paid through an escrow account by your mortgage lender, the money can be used for that purpose.