Know Your Mortgage Options

May 20, 2020

Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling Program Helps Homeowners Affected by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a serious challenge for many Minnesota homeowners who are experiencing a loss of income. If you’re among those financially impacted by the pandemic, you might be concerned about how to pay your mortgage.

It’s important that homeowners know all the facts before taking any action related to their homeownership, and Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling program and HUD-certified counselors are available to help navigate the process.

The Minnesota Homeownership Center provides leadership and coordination to the Homeownership Advisors Network, a statewide network of nearly 40 public, private and nonprofit organizations offering free, nonbiased and confidential advising tailored to the specific circumstances of each individual they serve. Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling program is a member of the Homeownership Advisors Network.

According to Julie Gugin, Minnesota Homeownership Center president, mortgage companies are more prepared today to work with homeowners to avoid default than they were during the 2008–2009 foreclosure crisis. “But consumers need to act,” she warns. “Acting early is always important, before you are even thinking about missing a payment. Mortgage relief, or forbearance as it’s often referred to, is not automatic, and it’s not ‘forgiveness’ either.” The Minnesota Homeownership Center recently provided the following guidance on its Welcome Home blog.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced that all mortgage loans owned by Federal Home Loan Banks (for example, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc.) will offer temporary relief to those impacted by the coronavirus whose ability to pay their mortgage is impacted. These individuals will be eligible to temporarily delay making their monthly mortgage payments. During this delay there will be no late fees incurred; delinquencies will not be reported to credit bureaus; and foreclosure and other legal proceedings will be suspended.

In addition to the loans covered above, most if not all consumer-facing financial institutions also are offering relief, including mortgage relief where applicable, to consumers affected by the coronavirus. Contact your lender to learn more.

In order to take advantage of any of these relief provisions, consumers must reach out to their lenders to discuss their situation and enroll in these special programs. Missing a mortgage payment without reaching out to your lender will not automatically enroll you. Checking the lender’s website first may be helpful as some have more self-serve functionality available than others.

These temporary relief programs are just that—temporary relief. They should be utilized only when you are at risk of defaulting on your mortgage. Any payments delayed will still need to be made eventually, likely with interest. When speaking with your lender, make sure you understand specifics like this, keeping in mind that additional government relief to consumers as well as to banks may further impact things to the positive down the road.

Protect yourself from scams and scare tactics. Never pay for mortgage relief. Scammers and flippers are working overtime during this period of uncertainty and anxiety. Here’s some helpful information on avoiding scams from the Federal Trade Commission. For trusted information and advice, seek the expertise of a Homeownership Advisor by calling 320-650-1664 to speak with one of Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling program counselors. These services are free and deliverable via phone.

The bottom line for homeowners is that banks are expecting many consumers, through no fault of their own, to understandably have trouble in the short term keeping current on their mortgages. While it is imperative that consumers reach out to their lender and discuss their situation, the banks are poised to assist you during this difficult time.

Approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling program can help homeowners contact the mortgage company to get back on track if fallen behind on mortgage payments. Our counselors are experts in foreclosure prevention and will work to create an action plan for successful homeownership. Learn more about Catholic Charities Financial and Housing Counseling program at ccstcloud.org/services/financial-counseling or call 320-650-1664 to speak with a counselor today.

About the Minnesota Homeownership Center

The Minnesota Homeownership Center empowers smart homeownership choices through education, research and partnerships grounded in the belief that sustainable homeownership has an essential role to play in fostering diverse, vibrant communities statewide. Learn more at hocmn.org.

About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is a nonprofit organization that works to build communities, promote family life and enhance human dignity by providing quality services to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths and beliefs. Learn more at ccstcloud.org.

Our Recent News

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge

By Brittany Hoversten • July 1, 2025
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge

The Kickball Miracle

June 26, 2025
A Lesson in Trust, Patience, and Unexpected Joy

How Catholic Charities Helped Kenneth

By Brittany Hoversten • June 17, 2025
When life feels overwhelming, finding the right support can make all the difference. That is exactly what happened for Kenneth, a 30-year-old father who found himself facing several impossible choices. With overdue bills, rent payments, and the pressure of providing for his children, Kenneth was struggling to keep his family afloat. On top of that, he needed his children’s birth certificates to register them for Catholic Charities' Toys for Tots program, so they could have presents for Christmas.  Though Kenneth had never used the Food Shelf before, he was introduced to our services by a Financial Assistance Program Coordinator, who showed him how utilizing the Food Shelf could ease some of the financial strain. The ability to save money on groceries would allow him to prioritize other needs, like utilities and rent. Our Financial Assistance program assisted Kenneth with obtaining his children's birth certificates and provided him with a cart full of groceries for his family. Additionally, we provided Kenneth with a list of community resources to help him continue moving forward. This assistance gave Kenneth and his family a renewed sense of hope. With a little help from our team, Kenneth felt a weight lift as he began to “dig out” of his financial struggles. The ability to provide his children with meals, secure the birth certificates needed for their Christmas gifts, and access other helpful resources helped him regain some stability during a tough time. Kenneth’s story is a powerful reminder that our work extends far beyond providing food. It is about offering hope, relief, and the tools needed to help individuals and families navigate challenges. Whether it is a grocery cart full of food, helping with essential paperwork, or connecting people to the broader network of resources, every bit of support contributes to making our neighbors’ lives better. We are honored to provide this kind of support to families like Kenneth’s. It is the generosity of our community that allows us to continue serving those who need it most. Whether through food donations, financial gifts, or volunteer time, the contributions we receive leave a lasting impact on our neighbors' lives.