Second extension of foreclosure moratoriums provides flexibility for disaster impacted communities
Washington – RealEstateRama – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is extending by an additional 90 days its existing foreclosure moratoriums on FHA-insured single family mortgages in the Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas (PDMDAs) resulting from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The extensions provide more time for impacted American families in devastated areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to seek Federal, state, or local assistance and underscore HUD’s commitment to supporting Americans impacted by the hurricanes.
“Individuals and families across the Southeast are still putting pieces of their livelihoods back together following back-to-back hurricanes this Fall,” Secretary Turner said. “HUD remains committed to the long-term recovery of these impacted communities. Today’s action will allow more flexibility as our fellow Americans continue working to stabilize their families, properties and communities.”
The FHA insures over one million single family mortgages in the Helene and Milton PDMDAs.
The moratoriums prohibit mortgage servicers from initiating or completing foreclosure actions on FHA-insured single family forward or Home Equity Conversion mortgages in the Hurricane Helene and Milton PDMDAs through July 10, 2025. This is the second extension of the moratoriums, which were most recently set to expire on April 11, 2025.
“As Western North Carolina works to recover from the devastation left by Helene, it is crucial that we provide families with the support they need to restore their homes and rebuild their lives. Extending the foreclosure moratoriums offers vital time and flexibility for borrowers to access critical assistance, ensuring that no family is left behind as they work to recover and move forward,” Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said.
“Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding displaced thousands of North Carolinians and caused a staggering $12.7 billion in residential damage. Over 100,000 homes were left damaged or destroyed, upending families across Western North Carolina. As we work towards recovery, I commend President Trump and Secretary Turner for taking decisive action to extend protections for homeowners in the areas hit hardest by this disaster. Together, we will continue to provide resources and relief for Western North Carolina,” Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) said.
“Families in Tennessee whose homes were destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Helene will benefit from much-needed relief thanks to the Housing and Urban Development’s extended foreclosure moratorium. This support from HUD provides the state’s hardest-hit communities with additional time to secure assistance and rebuild,” Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.
“I thank Secretary Turner and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for putting Florida homeowners first with their extension of foreclosure relief. As the Suncoast continues to rebuild from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida families deserve our full support as we recover from the devastating impact of natural disasters. This extension from HUD is a critical step in helping our communities stay housed while they recover. I appreciate HUD’s continued attention to the needs of Floridians as we work together to rebuild stronger than before,” Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL-17) said.
“Hurricane Helene left widespread damage across the 12th District, with many Georgians still in the process of rebuilding. I am grateful for Secretary Turner’s commitment to supporting Georgia families by extending the existing foreclosure moratoriums on FHA-insured single-family mortgages for an additional 90 days. This announcement will provide borrowers with additional flexibility and relief as recovery efforts continue in heavily impacted communities,” Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) said.
“Helene decimated communities in Southwest Virginia and altered the housing situations of countless families. I am glad Secretary Turner is taking appropriate action by granting a 90-day extension of the existing foreclosure moratorium on FHA-insured single-family mortgages to alleviate the financial and housing burdens caused by Helene,” Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) said.
“HUD’s halt on foreclosures for single family mortgages that are insured by the FHA is welcome news for Western North Carolinians whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Helene. This extension provides disaster victims more time to seek and obtain the necessary financial assistance to rebuild their lives. I will continue to work closely with the administration to anticipate and advocate for the needs of our mountain folk throughout the disaster recovery process,” Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) said.
Borrowers and Renters
- For those with a home with a mortgage insured by FHA in the disaster areas who are unable to make their mortgage payments, immediate relief is available. Homeowners are likely to have a range of options that can help them avoid the need to default on their mortgages or to sell their home or land. Borrowers should contact their mortgage servicer for assistance as soon as practical. Borrowers may also contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALL-FHA (1-800-877-8339; or for TTY 1-800-877-8339) for assistance.
- For borrowers and renters who need immediate housing and disaster recovery assistance, HUD-certified housing counselors are prepared to provide guidance on the options that are available. To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, borrowers can use HUD’s online search tool at www.hud.gov/findacounselor or use our phone search by calling (800) 569-4287 or (202) 708-1455 (TTY).
- For borrowers whose homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that requires reconstruction or complete replacement, contact an FHA-approved lender about FHA’s Section 203(h) program. This program provides 100 percent financing for eligible homeowners to rebuild their home or purchase a new one.
- For borrowers seeking to purchase and/or repair a home that has been damaged, contact an FHA-approved lender about FHA’s Section 203(k) loan program. This program allows individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, as well as the costs of repair or renovation, through a single mortgage.
