Habitat for Humanity provides assistance to families struggling with mortgage payments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many families are struggling to make their mortgage payments during the pandemic because of unemployment or reduced job hours.

Even though many are behind on their mortgage, a Charlotte organization is helping them stay in their homes.

Habitat for Humanity oversees mortgages for 1,100 families in the Charlotte area.

According to the agency, about 300 families or 29% are behind on their payments, which is three times the delinquency rate prior to the pandemic.

Laura Belcher, president and CEO for Habitat’s Charlotte Region, said homeowners aren’t facing foreclosure if they’re behind on payments. Instead, they’re being referred to the city’s COVID-19 mortgage relief program.

If that doesn’t work, Habitat is digging into its internal relief program to help families make payments.

“We prioritize families on what their need is. What their recovery looks like and how they will be able to take care of their mortgage payment, so we’ve got a whole process that we go through with each family,” Belcher explained.

She thinks families could benefit from any federal stimulus that would extend unemployment, and is hopeful things will improve next year.

Vanessa Patton lives in a Habitat for Humanity home and said she’s behind on her mortgage payment for December.

“Thankful I’m still employed,” she said. “But I’ve had my hours cut from my first full-time job, which I’ve been on for 12 years.”

Lowe’s is delivering more than 70 Christmas trees to Habitat homeowners like Patton, who’ve struggled during the pandemic.

Carolina Panthers mascot, Sir Purr, helped deliver a pre-lit Christmas tree to Patton’s family to bring some cheer during a troubling year.

Her son, Jordan, started decorating the festive tree.

“Just to know somebody out there cares and wants to do something for you,” Patton said.

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Cox Media Group