New Florida mortgage assistance program launching April 18

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A new federal mortgage assistance program designed to aid families in states hit hard by the economic and housing market downturn will be rolled out on the Treasure Coast and across Florida on April 18.

The Florida Hardest Hit Fund is being administered by the Tallahassee-based Florida Housing Finance Corp., an organization that provides assistance on obtaining affordable housing to middle- and low-income families statewide. Applications will be accepted online at www.flhardesthithelp.org . Homeowners can start applying online at 9 a.m on April 18, but not sooner.

Troubled homeowners in all 67 Florida counties who want to apply for assistance through the program will be able to do so online.

The program, which has a little more than $1 billion available for Floridians struggling to pay their mortgage, had a prior anticipated target launch of February, but the program launch was delayed by Gov. Rick Scott. His office made changes to the initial eligibility guidelines after the agency wrapped up its pilot program in Lee County last month.

From our news partners at Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers