Federal dollars helps unemployed Hoosier keep her home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Theresa Owens flashes a bright smile when she talks about her home.

“Everyone who comes to my home says it’s homey, it’s welcoming, everyone relaxes and gets comfortable when they come in my home,” said Owens.

In 2010, Owens' home became uncomfortable. The lifelong Hoosier native lost her job. She filed for unemployment, and was having problems paying her mortgage.

“I was getting further and further I thought there has got to be something else out there,” said Owens.

After doing research Owens heard about Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund. The federally funded program offers a zero interest loans of up to $18,000 to unemployed Hoosier homeowners. The loan is forgivable, meaning applicants do not have to pay it back if they stay in the home for ten years, or if they sell the home in five years and don’t make a profit. 

The loan is paid directly to the lender on behalf of the homeowner.

“It was God sent,” said Owens.

Owens received $15,000 of assistance and has been enrolled in the program for the past eight months. She now rests knowing that she doesn’t have to worry about where she will lay her head next month

“We want homeowners to know money is out there. This money is out there to help them,” said Mark Neyland Director of Asset Preservation for Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

The federally funded program has $179 million set aside for unemployed Hoosier homeowners alone. 2,000 people have applied and 1,300 people have been helped. The organization has until 2017 to disperse all of the funding. 

To get the word out the Hardest Hit Fund has created several radio commercials voiced by former Colts Coach Tony Dungy.  If you would like to learn more about the hardest hit fund log on to their website .

The application process can take up to three months. Those applicants accepted into the program are required to do volunteer work.