SOURCE: housingnm.org The State of New Mexico, in partnership with the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), are seeking public input on the New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), which was established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). According to the ARP, the Homeowner Assistance Fund was established to mitigate financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to eligible entities for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, by covering qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing. The State of New Mexico’s total HAF allocation is $55,772,684. Further information on the HAF can be found at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/homeowner-assistance-fund. MFA will host two public hearings on May 13, 2021, at noon and 6 p.m. MDT via webcast at https://housingnm.org/homeowners/homeowner-assistance-fund. New Mexico residents, interested agencies and for-profit and nonprofit organizations are invited to attend and to share comments on the funding program. These meetings will cover HAF program parameters and will be an opportunity to discuss homeowner needs. New Mexico residents, interested agencies and for-profit and nonprofit organizations may provide written comments any time between May 6, 2021 and June 17, 2021. Written comments and/or questions may be directed to the MFA Community Relations Manager in the following ways: fax – 505.243.3289; e-mail: sunrau@housingnm.org; or mail - MFA, 344 Fourth St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service, please contact the MFA Community Relations Manager by phone: 505.767.2277 or toll free 1-800-444-6880; fax: 505.242.2767; e-mail: sunrau@housingnm.org; or mail: MFA, 344 Fourth St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Dial 7-1-1 to use Hamilton Relay in New Mexico or call one of the following toll-free numbers: TTY: 800.659.8331; Voice: 800.659.1779; VCO (Voice Carry Over): 877.659.4174; Speech-to-Speech: 888.659.3952; and Spanish: 800.327.1857 (Includes Spanish-to-Spanish and translation from English to Spanish). Accommodations can be made within 48 hours notice for non-English speaking participants and individuals with disabilities by calling 505.843.6880.