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SFH Guaranteed Servicing
March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Foreclosure Relief Measures
This announcement outlines relief measures loan holders and loan servicers should implement to assist USDA Rural Development Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) borrowers affected by COVID-19. Homeowners impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for temporary relief.
Loan servicers seeking to assist SFHGLP borrowers may pursue any of the relief options referenced in the following USDA guidance. The Loss Mitigation Guide which is located as Attachment 18-A of Chapter 18 of our Handbook. An electronic version of the Handbook can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/hb-1-3555.pdf.
- FORBEARANCE: USDA Rural Development encourages SFHGLP loan servicers to extend forbearance alternatives to borrowers whose health or employment has been impacted as a result of COVID-19. Careful and precise communication with borrowers should help determine whether their difficulties are directly or indirectly related to COVID-19, or whether they stem from other sources which must be addressed.
- FORECLOSURE SUSPENSION: Although the loan servicer is ultimately responsible for determining when to initiate foreclosure, USDA Rural Development requires that holders suspend all foreclosure activity until April 30, 2020. The foreclosure suspension applies to the initiation of new foreclosure actions and to foreclosure actions already in process.
- DOCUMENTATION: Holders and loan servicers should fully document their decisions when loss mitigation servicing actions are provided. For questions, please contact the USDA Rural Development Customer Service Center by calling (866) 550-5887 or the National Office at (202) 720-1452.
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Help Resources
Policy Questions
Customer Service Center
Phone: 866-550-5887
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division
Phone: 202-720-1452
USDA ITS Service Desk Support Center
For e-Authentication assistance
Email: eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov
Phone: 800-457-3642, option 1 (USDA e-Authentication Issues)
Rural Development Help Desk
For GUS system, outage or functionality assistance
Email: RD.HD@STL.USDA.GOV
Phone: 800-457-3642, option 2 (USDA Applications); then option 2 (Rural Development)
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