HOMEOWNER'S ASSISTANCE FUND

Aanjibimaadizing offers hope and help for those behind in mortgage payments

By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR

Aanjibimaadizing staff are constantly looking for ways to provide Band members assistance in multiple directions. “We know difficulties show up in many, many different ways. So too, should hope and help,” said Kristian Theisz, Director of Community Services for Aanjibimaadizing. For some Band members who are struggling to meet mortgage payments and utility bills, there is funding available to help homeowners, and you need not be an Aanjibimaadizing client to qualify.

The Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) is designed to support homeowners who have a mortgage held by a Mille Lacs Band member or first descendant, or has a Mille Lacs Band member living in their household who has a mortgage that is past due, or any utilities associated with having a mortgage. “The pandemic has caused ripple effects across all different areas in the lives of many. We made sure we could offer these funds for as long as possible because we know the effect doesn’t always show up immediately,” Theisz said.

HAF is federal grant funding that can provide full or partial payment assistance to eligible homeowners who are unable to make full delinquent mortgage payments and provide funds to resolve delinquent payments for utility services, excluding phone and internet, due to a continuing financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HAF program is an income-eligible program designed to offset roughly one year of payments for eligible participants. All payments are made directly to the vendors. This program is limited to 12 months of assistance for participants, or up to the limits of $20,000 for mortgage and $7,000 for utilities, whichever comes first.

Data was collected since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and reported at the State of the Band in the beginning of January that the HAF program has had 486 service requests with 25 applications in process, resulting in roughly $686,000 being paid out. “Since the State of the Band report was compiled, we have now paid out roughly $750,000,” Theisz said. “We have funds available until they run out. We continue to look for ways to help people.”

The Band fully exhausted the funds available for rental assistance, but is seeking out more funding for rental assistance, as that is a continuing issue.

The HAF program has an easy application process. It is all available online and is also mobile phone-accessible. For those who do not have a computer or phone, help is available in person. Aanji has staff in every district and the Urban office. And Aanji goes one step further for those who cannot get to an office; please call Tammy Moreland, who can walk you through the steps.

Many resources are available for assistance. The website at Aanji.org has many programs for assistance. “Or stop in at any of the offices,” Theisz said. “We are always here.”

For full eligibility requirements, application, and more information, please visit www.aanji.org. More questions? Contact Tammy Moreland at 320-292-1942 or tammy.moreland@millelacsband.com.

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