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Highland

Paula Campbell
Posted 1/11/22

I heard about the New York State distributing masks and Covid test kits to local communities throughout the State, so I called our Town Clerk Sue Hoffman. Sue told me that the Town only received 70 …

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Highland

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I heard about the New York State distributing masks and Covid test kits to local communities throughout the State, so I called our Town Clerk Sue Hoffman. Sue told me that the Town only received 70 Covid test kit packages which contain two tests, and as of January 7th she only had five test kits left.

I asked if the Town might be getting more test kits and Sue told me she didn’t know. Ms. Hoffman said she does have a fairly good supply of N95 masks available for distribution. To find out more details and hours for the Clerk’s Office call the Town of Highland Clerk at (845) 557- 0180

Speaking of Covid related funding programs, Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed several emergency Covid related aid bills that will bring relief to New Yorkers that have been impacted by the continuing pandemic. One provides aid to homeowners. The New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund (NYS HAF) has gotten emergency federal funds that assists homeowners who, because of the pandemic, are now at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement because of financial hardship caused by Covid.

Financial assistance is available for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgages, in default on a reverse mortgage, in arrears on their property taxes, water or sewage bills. This one-time bill signed by Governor Hochul offers other great free benefits such as the services of a case manager who can determine what mortgage relief programs available are the best course of action for those eligible homeowners and can make referrals to professional housing counselors or legal services who are housing and mortgage experts and can help people stay in their homes.

The NYS HAF Pandemic Bill services can pay delinquent mortgage arrears or do a partial principal mortgage pay down to an amount needed to make future mortgage payments more affordable and condominium and coop owners who have fallen behind on monthly carrying charges such as maintenance fees or homeowner association payments. The bill covers making future housing payments for up to six months if an eligible applicant or an adult member of the household is currently unemployed or has exhausted unemployment benefits.

To be eligible the homeowner must live and occupy their home or apartment and have been financially affected by the Covid pandemic and be behind in their payments. Eligible applicants may apply for the amount they are in arrears payments or for future housing payments up to a maximum of $50,000. This financial assistance is structured for a five-year non-interest bearing, non-amortizing forgivable grant. The grant may become repayable if the homeowner sells, refinances or transfers ownership of the property within five years of receiving the grant.

The application period will be open for thirty days. Funding is limited and applications are processed on a first come first serve basis. You can apply by calling the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund’s Call Center at (844) 776-9423 and the Center is open Mondays-Saturdays 7:00am to 8:00pm. You can also apply online at www.nyhomeownerfund.org.

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