If a job loss, illness, or unexpected bill put you behind on your payments, Pennsylvania’s HEMAP program was built for exactly this moment — and applying costs nothing.
If you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage and you’re not sure what to do next, take a breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Every year, thousands of Pennsylvania homeowners face the same situation — often after a layoff, a medical bill, a divorce, or something else outside their control. There’s a free, state-run program built specifically for this: the Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, or HEMAP.
What HEMAP Actually Is
HEMAP has been around since 1983, run by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). In plain language: it’s a loan from the state that can bring your mortgage current or cover payments for a set period while you get back on your feet. It isn’t a grant, so the money is repaid over time, but it often comes with low or no interest — a very different deal than falling further behind with your lender.
If you’ve received a notice from your lender (in Pennsylvania, this is called an Act 91 notice — a required 30-day warning before foreclosure proceedings can start), that notice is actually your key to this program. Within 33 days of that notice, you can meet with a free, HUD-approved housing counselor who can pause the foreclosure clock while you apply.
What the Process Looks Like
- Get the notice, don’t ignore it. The Act 91 notice includes a list of approved local counseling agencies — that list is your starting point.
- Book a free, face-to-face meeting (in person or by video call) with a counselor within 33 days of the notice date. This single step stops the foreclosure process while your application is reviewed.
- The counselor helps you apply to HEMAP, gathers your paperwork, and forwards everything to PHFA. A decision typically comes within 60 days.
- If approved, HEMAP can bring your mortgage current or cover a period of payments, giving you room to stabilize your income before you’re back on track.
There’s no cost to apply, and no obligation to sell your home or make any decision on the spot. Homeowners across Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties use this program every year.
Free Help First
Before anything else, lean on the free resources built for this exact moment:
- HUD-approved housing counselors — free, one-on-one guidance through the HEMAP application and your options. Find one at phfa.org/counseling or call PHFA’s counseling line.
- PA Legal Aid Network — free legal help if your situation involves a dispute with your lender or a scheduled sale.
- 211 — dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential referrals to local housing and hardship programs across Pennsylvania.
If You Want a Second Set of Eyes on Credit or Refinancing
Some homeowners, once they’re through the HEMAP process, want help rebuilding credit or exploring a refinance. If that’s you, we’re glad to introduce you to a partner we trust for credit repair or loan-modification guidance — always optional, always alongside the free counseling option above, never instead of it.
You Still Have Time
A notice in the mail can feel like the ground shifting under you, but Act 91 and HEMAP exist precisely because Pennsylvania recognized that good people hit hard stretches. You’re not out of time, and you’re not out of options — you just need the right next step.
Hablamos español. If it’s easier to talk this through in Spanish, text Glen or Brie anytime: 215-999-7208.
Schedule your free, pressure-free Strategy Session at WayOutNow.com — we can help you think through HEMAP, your counselor meeting, or anything else on your plate right now.
