How state Housing Finance Agencies help with mortgages, rent, and homeownership.
Every state has a central Housing Finance Agency (HFA), a government or quasi-governmental organization created to help residents find, maintain, and afford safe housing. Though the exact programs offered can vary by state, most HFAs work to provide affordable housing options and financial assistance to low and moderate income individuals and families. Find details below on state Housing Finance Agencies in your state and programs offered.
As noted, while programs vary, examples of services offered including home repairs, information on local section 8 application sites by state, applications to government mortgage relief programs and more. A local HFA will also help first time buyers with moving into a new home or tenants moving into an apartment.
Help for struggling homeowners.
For those who already own a home but are struggling to pay their mortgage state Housing Finance Agencies may offer mortgage relief, property tax help or hardship assistance programs. Some of the resources include home loan refinance and modification opportunities, free foreclosure counseling services, and also mortgage assistance in the form of low interest rate loans. There are also assistance programs that help with property taxes. In some cases, HFAs also work with lenders to temporarily pause foreclosures or reduce monthly payments while the homeowner recovers financially.
The local agencies also work closely with government programs as well as non-profit HUD approved housing counselors to provide homeowners with a wide range of free services. This may be everything from short sale programs to free foreclosure help from attorneys or counselors. Whether federal government sponsored loan modifications, or resources from local lenders or banks in your state, a state housing authority is a great resource.
Help for tenants from a state housing finance agency
Housing Finance Agencies also help renters (regardless of their income) and people looking for a place to lease. Most state HFAs are involved in creating as well as preserving affordable rental housing, including listing homes that be be leased with no wait. In addition, many operate public housing or low income apartments as well in partnership with the state or local non-profits. .
They also administer the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs (or developer resources), which incentivizes private developers to build or renovate rental properties for low-income tenants including people with poor FICO scores or a low income. This increases the availability of affordable units throughout the state, often near job centers, public transit, and schools.
Many HFAs also provide rental assistance programs, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and extremely low-income households such as those living in poverty. While direct rental subsidies are often managed through local housing authorities or the federal Section 8 HUD voucher program, HFAs may still distribute temporary emergency rental assistance. Or at a local level they will partner with nonprofits to help with lease application fees, move-in costs, security deposits, and eviction prevention. Find information on emergency rent assistance.
Some Housing Finance Agencies offer renters’ education programs. This is for people that either lease now or are looking for a place to rent, as helping tenants (or would be ones) understand their rights, responsibilities, and how to maintain good standing with landlords is critical to long term stability. Or find details on additional government or charitable housing program services. Find more on housing assistance.
Applications to tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) and rapid rehousing are also offered at many states. Any type of government rental assistance (other than section 8) is intended to be short term in nature . Programs such as TBRA are also income based options. The primary goal is to provide temporary assistance through an administrator to an individual household or renter.
Home buying programs from State Housing Finance Authorities
Families and individuals who are in the market to purchase a home can receive assistance from their local housing authority. One of the most well-known functions of state HFAs is their assistance to first-time and low-income homebuyers. Almost any type of financing issued will come with advice and counseling from a specialist.
Many states offer mortgage loan programs through their HFA in partnership with banks and other lenders. They offer competitive interest rates, often no closing cost and reduced down payment requirements. These loans are often combined with down payment and property tax assistancs - sometimes in the form of a interest free forgivable loan or grant, which means the borrower doesn’t have to repay the funds if they remain in the home for a certain period.
In addition, Housing Finance Agency often partner with lenders or non-profit credit counselors to provide educational tools and first-time homebuyer counseling. Among other services, these tools can offer low- and very low-income individuals advice on coming up with the funds for their down payment and closing cost assistance. These classes often also cover budgeting, mortgage terms, credit score repair, and home maintenance. All of these help families build long-term housing stability.
While each state varies, some states (as well as federal government from time to time), administer Income Tax or Mortgage Credit Certificate programs or give financial incentives to home buyers. This can include state or federal tax credits to eligible homebuyers, which can either reduce any income tax owed or provide other government incentives for home ownership.
Home repair grant and loans from an HFA
In addition to helping with the programs above, state Housing Finance Agencies often operate free or low-cost home repair programs and accessibility retrofitting for seniors or those with disabilities. Low income individuals can apply for low interest loans or grant money that can assist homeowners in financing basic home improvements. These loans can usually be applied towards improvements that directly affect the safety, energy efficiency, habitability, or accessibility of their homes In rural areas, HFAs may work with USDA programs to promote housing stability for farmworkers and others in remote communities.
Some agencies also run weatherization and energy efficiency programs, helping homeowners and renters lower their utility costs through home upgrades like insulation, new HVAC systems, or window replacements. A focus of many local housing agencies will be repair central air conditioning and furnaces. They also focus on helping seniors as well as the disabled to ensure they have a safe place to live.
Local government State Finance Housing Authorities in all states
To explore the specific programs available in your state, start by visiting your state’s Housing Finance Agency website. Below are the addresses, phone numbers, and contact information for public government housing finance agencies by state. Most have detailed information about eligibility criteria, online applications, and directories of approved lenders or housing counselors. All look here for the official NCSHA list https://www.ncsha.org/housing-help/.
Many cities and counties also have a public government or housing agency (PHA) that operates in their immediate area near them, and the state resources listed below can provide you with that information. They are generally staffed with people trained to help you find the program that best fits your needs. The main federal location is at Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Constitution Center, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20219. For details dial 202‑649‑3800.
Alabama Housing Finance Authority
7460 Halcyon Pointe Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117. Call (334) 244‑9200
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Main address is 4300 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99504. Call (907) 338‑6100
Arizona Department of Housing - Finance Authority
Main location is at 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Telephone (602) 771‑1000
Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA)
1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202. Call (501) 682‑5900
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)
Address is 500 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814. Main number is 877‑922‑5432
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)
Programs are run from 1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202. Dial 303‑297‑2432 or Toll‑free 800‑877‑2432
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For details, dial 800-244-7112 or 860-243-2540
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
18 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. For information, dial (302) 739‑4263
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing)
A major focus is on seniors, with the office at 227 N. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Dial (850) 488‑4197
Georgia Department of Community Affairs / Housing Finance Authority
60 Executive Park South NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Call 404‑679‑4940
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
Main location is 677 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. For details, dial 808‑587‑0500
Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA)
Address - 5657 Warm Springs Avenue, Boise, ID 83716. Main number is 208‑331‑4770
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
111 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, I 60601. For information on rental and mortgage programs dial 312‑836‑5200
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
Address is 30 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Dial 317‑232‑7777
Iowa Finance Authority (IFA)
Address: 1963 Bell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. Number is 866‑654‑8366
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)
Location is 611 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Call 785‑271‑7800
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)
Location is 1231 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Dial 502‑564‑7630 or 800‑633‑8896
Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)
Main address is 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Dial 225‑763‑8700
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330. For information, including on winter home repairs, dial 207‑626‑4600
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development runs the State Housing Finance Authority
Both are run from 7800 Harkins Road, Lanham, MD 20706. Dial 800‑825‑2627
MassHousing
The statewide finance agency is at 160 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. Dial 617‑854‑1000
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
Housing assistance from the finance agency is at 735 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912. Dial (517) 373‑8370
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
Main address is 400 Wabasha Street North, St. Paul, MN 55102. Dial (651) 296‑7608
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
The HFA office is at 735 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS 39202. For information, call (601) 718‑4642
Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC)
Location is 3435 Broadway, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Main phone (573) 634‑4663
Montana Board of Housing (BOH)
Location is 301 S. Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601. Main phone (406) 841‑2700
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)
1600 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68102. Dial (402) 434‑3900
Nevada Housing Division
Address is 3300 W. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102. Telephone (702) 486‑7220
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
32 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH 03110. For information on the HFA programs, call (603) 310‑9285
New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA)
Location is CN 18550, Trenton, NJ 08650‑0050. Call (609) 278‑7529
New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA)
Office is at 344 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For information, dial (505) 843‑6880
New York State Housing Finance Agency (NYS HFA)
They cover the entire state from 641 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022. For details, dial (212) 688‑4069
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)
The HFA has both housing and homebuying programs from 3508 Bush Street, Raleigh, NC 27609‑7509. Dial (919) 877‑5700
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA)
2640 State Street, Bismarck, ND 58503. The two phone numbers are 800‑292‑8621 or try 701‑328‑8080
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
400 Wabasha St N, St Paul, MN 55102. Dial for details, (651) 296‑7608
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
2600 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, OH 43231. For details, dial (614) 466‑7970
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
Location is 211 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Dial 855‑827‑3466 or call (717) 780‑3800
Rhode Island Housing
Homeowner programs are run from 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903. Call (401) 457‑1170
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC HFA)
300 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Dial (843) 718‑4735
South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SD HDA)
Main office is at 3060 East Elizabeth St., Pierre, SD 57501. Dial (605) 773‑3181
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
Main office location is 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37243. Dial (615) 815‑2200
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
The address of the main finance office is at 221 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701‑2410. Dial the main customer service at 512‑475‑3800
Utah Housing Corporation
Location is 2479 S. Lake Park Blvd, West Valley City, UT 84120. Call (801) 902‑8300
Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA)
601 S. Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220. Dial 804‑782‑1986
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)
Office is at 1000 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104‑3601. Dial 206‑464‑7139 or 800‑767‑4663
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WV HDF)
The state finance authority is run from 571 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701. Dial (304) 528‑0437
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
Main location is 201 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703. Dial (608) 267‑7533
Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) is also the HFA
155 N. Beech Street, Casper, WY 82601. Call (307) 265‑0603
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