Behind In Property Taxes? Step Forward, Homeowners

​​Behind In Property Taxes? Step Forward, Homeowners
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The Michigan  State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently re-opened its Step Forward Michigan program to assist homeowners located in participating counties such as Newaygo County with delinquent mortgage and/or property taxes.
This comprehensive, statewide strategy is aimed at helping homeowners who are at high risk of default or foreclosure due to 

​​​economic challenges. If determined eligible, a one-time payment can be made for up to...

...three (3) years of real property taxes directly to County Treasurer Holly Moon.  Homeowners should visit www.stepforwardmichigan.orgto review details and make application.

Homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgage or property taxes should be encouraged to apply if:

• They own and live in their home
• Have less than $10,000 in their bank accounts
• Have enough income to pay future mortgage payments and property taxes
• Had a qualifying event that caused their delinquency, such as: Unemployment, Underemployment, Death, a Medical event or Divorce

Approved homeowners will be asked to sign a forgivable loan note and mortgage lien for the amount of assistance granted. The loan is provided at a 0% interest rate, requires no monthly payments, and will be forgiven at 20% each year as long as the property remains the homeowner’s primary residence. Hardest Hit Funds® are paid directly to the participating mortgage lender and/or county treasurer for application toward the amount owed.
County Treasurer Holly Moon, states “This is a very generous award from the U.S. Department of Treasury to the State of Michigan to re-open its Hardest Hit Fund® Program.”  The delinquent tax payment option was expanded from MSHDA’s original Step Forward Program which was primarily designed to help homeowners that had fallen behind on their mortgages.  “My fellow County Treasurers and I believe having delinquent property taxes paid up is an important part of economic recovery for families.  When we shared this with MSHDA staff they took the appropriate steps to obtain approval from Treasury to pay County Treasurers directly.”
If you or someone you know needs help with tax foreclosure information or a property tax payment plan, please contact County Treasurer Holly Moon’s office at 231.689.7230.  To learn more about eligibility for the Step Forward Program, visit www.stepforward@michigan.gov or call Step Forward Michigan’s hotline at 1.866.946.7432.

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