Help for O.C. homeowners with delinquent property taxes

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 15, 2022) – The California Mortgage Relief Program has expanded eligibility requirements to give California homeowners a fresh start in their homes if they have fallen behind on property tax payments due to financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program now provides assistance to cover delinquent property taxes for homeowners whose mortgage payments are current or for homeowners who are mortgage-free. Homeowners who fall in this category could receive up to $20,000 to cover delinquent property taxes. In addition, the program currently also covers property taxes for reverse mortgage holders or as part of a complete reinstatement for homeowners who were also behind on their mortgage.

• California homeowners are now eligible for assistance from the program if their household income is at or below the county income limit (150% of Orange County’s Area Median Income (AMI), based on federal limits set for this program) and can check eligibility for other Counties using the 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. “This program assistance should keep homeowners in their homes and offset some of the financial hardships they experienced during the pandemic” said Shari Freidenrich, Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

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.