Property Tax Relief Announced for Eligible Monterey County Residents; Critical State Pandemic-Relief Program Announces Eligibility Expansion to Help More Homeowners

 

Salinas, CA - The California Mortgage Relief Program has announced it will expand eligibility requirements to

give more California homeowners a fresh start in their homes after falling behind on payments due to financial

hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program has extended assistance to cover past-due property taxes for homeowners whose mortgage

payments are current and homeowners who are mortgage-free. Homeowners who fall in this category could

receive up to $20,000 to cover past-due property taxes. Previously, property taxes were covered for reverse

mortgage holders or as part of a complete reinstatement for homeowners who were also behind on their

mortgage.

“I am proud to be a member of the working group that brought enhanced tax assistance to homeowners who did

not require mortgage relief” said Mary Zeeb, Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector. “By broadening this

program to include taxpayers that only need assistance with property tax payments we will help a segment of

our population that had previously been excluded from relief. This enhanced program will keep more people in

their homes and help to offset some of the financial hardships they experienced during the pandemic.”

Other program expansions include:

• Homeowners are now eligible for assistance from the program if their household income is at or below the

county income limit (150% of their county’s Area Median Income, based on federal limits set for this

program). California homeowners interested in applying can find their county’s Area Median Income by

using a calculator available online at CaMortgageRelief.org.

• In addition, homeowners who have missed at least 2 mortgage payments prior to June 30, 2022, and are

currently delinquent, may be eligible for assistance. This updates an original requirement that required

homeowners to have missed at least two payments prior to December 27, 2021.

The California Mortgage Relief Program offers financial assistance to eligible homeowners through a one-time

only grant that does not have to be paid back. This means homeowners who have fallen behind on their

mortgage or property tax payments due to pandemic-related financial hardships can get caught up.

Homeowners can check to see if they are eligible to apply for the California Mortgage Relief Program by

visiting CaMortgageRelief.org and clicking the “Apply Now” button. Homeowners who meet the pre-screening

criteria may complete an application for funding. Application assistance is available through the program’s

Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594.

The CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation (CalHRC) is a special-purpose affiliate of the California Housing

Finance Agency (CalHFA). CalHFA is an independent state agency that assists low to moderate income

Californians by acting as the state’s affordable housing lender. Through CalHRC, the agency is able to disburse

The American Rescue Plan Act’s Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) on behalf of the State of California given

its extensive expertise in the mortgage assistance and homeownership space.

For media inquiries, please contact press@camortgagerelief.org or the County of Monterey Treasurer/Tax

Collector at (831)755-5015 or pittengerja@co.monterey.ca.us. For additional questions, please contact the

program’s Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594.