Wyn Delano
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is announcing a $9 million program that will provide up to $5,000 a month to help furloughed federal workers pay their mortgages during the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The D.C. Mortgage Assistance (DC MAP) program, administered by the District’s Housing Finance Agency is the latest maneuver from Mayor Bowser to help blunt the impact of the shutdown, now on its 32nd day, on a federal workforce that is invariably connected to the District.
Previously, Bowser laid out separate plans for emergency legislation that would allow federal employees in the district who are working without pay – going against a U.S. Department of Labor declaration that only furloughed workers are eligible for unemployment benefits.
Todd A. Lee, director of the Housing Finance Agency, says the idea of mortgage assistance was first floated about a week and a half ago, and officials moved to set up the details and obtain funding a week ago. “This is a response to a question that our Mayor asked all her agency heads when she was sworn in – and that question is: ‘what are you willing to do if you’re not afraid to fail,” Lee told WMAL.
Lee says that the program will also apply to so-called “essential” workers who are still going into work at federal agencies, but not receiving a paycheck:
“Whether you are sitting at home or you are showing up for work everyday, to the extent that your agency is not funded and you’re not being compensated you are eligible,” he explained.
Other requirements to apply include:
– Being a full-time federal government employee
– Maintaining a primary residence within the District;
– Proving that you are not eligible for forbearance through your current lender/servicer;
– Be in good standing on your current mortgage
– Be at-risk of a mortgage default that would potentially lead to foreclosure.
Applications will be taken first come, first served starting Friday January 25th at 10AM. Federal workers can apply by calling 1-833-429-0537 or visit DCFHA.org. Lee says that the approval process will take roughly a week and that the agency will continue to take applications until the entirety of the $9 million is exhausted.
The loans are zero-interest, but must be repaid within 60 days of the shutdown ending, or when back pay is made available to the borrower – whichever comes first.
“Unfortunately, this unprecedented shutdown has created a tremendous amount of economic uncertainty for federal employees and their families, and so we are doing everything we can to ease the burden and alleviate stress,” said Mayor Bowser. “It is very unfortunate that this is what it has come to and I join millions of Americans in urging the President to work with Congress to end this shutdown and get our federal employees back to work.”
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