What Is HEMAP in Pennsylvania?

Introduction

If you are behind on your mortgage or recently received an Act 91 Notice, you may have seen the term HEMAP.

That naturally raises an important question:

What is HEMAP in Pennsylvania?

HEMAP is a Pennsylvania foreclosure-prevention program that may help eligible homeowners who are temporarily unable to make their mortgage payments because of circumstances beyond their control.

The program may provide assistance with overdue mortgage payments and, in some cases, ongoing payments. However, HEMAP is not available to everyone, and homeowners must follow a specific application process.

This article is for general information only. I am not an attorney, lender, housing counselor, CPA, or financial advisor. Homeowners concerned about foreclosure should contact their mortgage servicer, a PHFA-approved housing counselor, and appropriate legal or financial professionals as soon as possible.

Short Direct Answer

HEMAP stands for Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.

HEMAP is a Pennsylvania state-funded loan program created to help qualifying homeowners who are in danger of foreclosure because they have become unable to make their mortgage payments through no fault of their own.

HEMAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, commonly known as PHFA. It is a loan, not a grant, which means homeowners who receive assistance are expected to repay the money according to program requirements.

What Does HEMAP Help With?

Depending on the homeowner’s financial situation, HEMAP may help address delinquent mortgage payments and may provide limited ongoing mortgage assistance.

PHFA identifies two general forms of help:

• Non-continuing mortgage assistance, which may help bring a delinquent mortgage current
• Continuing mortgage assistance, which may also provide temporary help with future monthly mortgage payments

The type and amount of assistance depend on the household’s income, hardship, mortgage delinquency, ability to resume payments, and other eligibility requirements. PHFA states that HEMAP assistance is limited by program timeframes and funding caps.

HEMAP does not cancel the mortgage or permanently eliminate the homeowner’s responsibility to make payments.

Is HEMAP a Grant or a Loan?

HEMAP is a loan, not a grant.

Money provided through HEMAP must be repaid. PHFA states that repayment is based partly on household income, with a minimum monthly contribution required by law for assisted mortgages.

Homeowners should make sure they understand:

• How much assistance may be provided
• What payments they will be responsible for
• When repayment begins
• How long assistance may continue
• What happens when HEMAP eligibility ends

A PHFA-approved counselor can help explain the program and application process.

Who May Qualify for HEMAP?

HEMAP eligibility depends on the homeowner’s specific circumstances.

According to PHFA, important eligibility considerations include:

• The home must be located in Pennsylvania.
• The homeowner must own and occupy the property.
• The property generally must be a one-family or two-family residence.
• The homeowner must be experiencing financial hardship due to circumstances beyond the homeowner’s control.
• The homeowner must have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe.
• The mortgage and property must meet applicable program requirements.

PHFA reviews each application individually. Receiving an Act 91 Notice does not guarantee that a homeowner will qualify for HEMAP.

However, homeowners should not assume they are ineligible without speaking with an approved counselor.

What Is the Connection Between HEMAP and Act 91?

HEMAP was created under Pennsylvania’s Act 91 of 1983.

Lenders are generally required to send eligible homeowners an Act 91 Notice containing information about HEMAP before moving forward with certain foreclosure actions.

After receiving the notice, the homeowner generally has 33 days to meet with an approved counseling agency. The meeting may occur in person or remotely through technology that allows the homeowner and counselor to communicate both visually and audibly.

PHFA states that meeting with an approved counselor is free and is the only way to apply for HEMAP. During the timely application period, the lender generally cannot continue foreclosure action while the application process remains timely.

This is why homeowners should pay close attention to the date printed on the notice and the postmark on the envelope.

How Do I Apply for HEMAP?

A homeowner cannot simply complete a general application online without first working through an approved counseling agency.

The basic process includes:

1. Read the entire Act 91 Notice.
2. Contact one of the approved counseling agencies listed in the notice.
3. Schedule the required counseling meeting.
4. Bring the notice and requested financial documents.
5. Work with the counselor to prepare and submit the application.
6. Respond promptly if PHFA requests additional information.

The counselor may help the homeowner gather documents, understand the application, and discuss other possible foreclosure-prevention options. PHFA’s homeowner counseling services are available at no cost to Pennsylvania residents.

What Information Should I Gather?

Before meeting with a counselor, it may be helpful to gather:

• The complete Act 91 Notice
• The envelope showing the postmark
• Recent mortgage statements
• The mortgage servicer’s contact information
• The amount currently past due
• Household income documentation
• Monthly expense information
• Tax and insurance information
• Documentation explaining the financial hardship
• Any foreclosure or court paperwork received

The counseling agency can provide a more specific list based on the homeowner’s situation.

What If I Do Not Qualify for HEMAP?

HEMAP is an important program, but it is not the only possible option.

Homeowners may also be able to discuss the following with their servicer and appropriate professionals:

• Loan modification
• Repayment plan
• Forbearance
• Refinancing, if realistic
• Bankruptcy attorney review
• Other loss-mitigation options
• Traditional home sale
• Short sale
• Investor sale

PHFA advises homeowners experiencing mortgage trouble to contact their servicer as soon as possible and not ignore letters or calls. Servicers may be able to discuss alternatives even while a HEMAP application is being considered.

Selling is not always the only option. However, if selling becomes necessary, acting early may provide more time to market the property, compare offers, and protect available equity.

When Should I Contact a REALTOR®?

A REALTOR® does not replace a mortgage servicer, housing counselor, attorney, CPA, lender, or financial advisor.

A REALTOR® may help a homeowner understand the real estate side of the situation, including:

• Current property value
• Estimated equity
• Mortgage payoff compared with market value
• Likely sale timeline
• Estimated net proceeds
• As-is sale options
• Traditional sale versus investor offer
• Whether a sale may be realistic before a scheduled deadline

Sometimes the best outcome is staying in the home.

Sometimes selling becomes the most practical option.

Either way, understanding the property’s value and the available timeline can help the homeowner make a more informed decision.

Download the Foreclosure Resource Sheet

I also created a printable Pennsylvania Foreclosure Resource Sheet to help homeowners organize their questions, documents, and possible next steps.

The resource sheet includes:

• Immediate steps to consider
• Foreclosure-prevention options
• Information to gather
• Professionals who may be able to help
• Questions to ask before deciding whether to sell
• Trusted Pennsylvania resources

Download the PDF file here:

The resource sheet is for general education and does not replace professional housing, legal, financial, tax, or mortgage advice.

My Advice

If you received an Act 91 Notice or believe foreclosure may be approaching, do not wait to ask for help.

Read every notice. Save the envelope. Contact your mortgage servicer. Schedule a meeting with a PHFA-approved counselor. Speak with an attorney if legal action has begun.

Do not assume that foreclosure is unavoidable, but do not assume that the problem will resolve itself either.

HEMAP may provide meaningful assistance for qualifying homeowners, but deadlines and eligibility requirements matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HEMAP stand for?

HEMAP stands for Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.

Is HEMAP only available in Pennsylvania?

Yes. HEMAP is a Pennsylvania program administered by PHFA for qualifying Pennsylvania homeowners.

Is HEMAP free money?

No. HEMAP is a repayable loan program, not a grant.

How long do I have to apply after receiving an Act 91 Notice?

PHFA states that homeowners generally have 30 days, plus three days for postal delivery, to meet with an approved counseling agency. This is commonly described as a 33-day period.

Does applying for HEMAP stop foreclosure?

A timely application may temporarily prevent the lender from continuing foreclosure action while the HEMAP process remains timely. Approval is not guaranteed.

Can I apply for HEMAP online by myself?

No. PHFA states that meeting with an approved counseling agency is the only way to apply for HEMAP. The meeting may be conducted in person or remotely using qualifying audiovisual technology.

Can I still sell my home while exploring HEMAP?

A homeowner may still investigate real estate options while discussing foreclosure prevention with the servicer and counselor. Before selling, the homeowner should understand the mortgage payoff, home value, legal status, timeline, and estimated net proceeds.

Need Help Understanding the Real Estate Side?

If you are concerned about foreclosure, I can help you understand your home’s current value, possible equity, local market conditions, and realistic sale timeline.

Selling is not always the answer. But if selling becomes part of the conversation, I can help you understand what that process could look like.

Contact Ben Perfetto, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, to discuss your property and available real estate options.