150% of the area median income for a household means three times the income limit for very-
low income families, for the relevant household size, as published by HUD in accordance with
42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2) for purposes of the HAF. When determining area median income with
respect to tribal members, tribal governments and TDHEs may rely on the methodology
authorized by HUD for the Indian Housing Block Grant Program as it pertains to households
residing in an Indian area comprising multiple counties (see HUD Office of Native American
Programs, Program Guidance No. 2021-01, June 22, 2021).
Dwelling means any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or designed or
intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more individuals.
Eligible entity means (1) a State, (2) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, (3) each Indian
Tribe (or, if applicable, the tribally designated housing entity of an Indian Tribe) that was
eligible for a grant under Title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq.) for fiscal year 2020, and (4) any Indian
Tribe that opted out of receiving a grant allocation under the Native American Housing Block
Grants program formula in fiscal year 2020.
Financial hardship means a material reduction in income or material increase in living expenses
associated with the coronavirus pandemic that has created or increased a risk of mortgage
delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, or
displacement for a homeowner.
HAF participant means an eligible entity that receives funds from the HAF.
Mortgage means any credit transaction (1) that is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, or other
consensual security interest on a principal residence of a borrower that is (a) a one- to four-unit
dwelling, or (b) a residential real property that includes a one- to four-unit dwelling; and (2) the
unpaid principal balance of which was, at the time of origination, not more than the conforming
loan limit. For purposes of this definition, the conforming loan limit means the applicable
limitation governing the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage secured by a
single-family residence, a mortgage secured by a two-family residence, a mortgage secured by a
three-family residence, or a mortgage secured by a four-family residence, as determined and
adjusted annually under section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter
Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)) and section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)). A reverse mortgage, a loan secured by a manufactured
home, or a contract for deed (also known as a land contract) may fall within this definition if it
satisfies the criteria in this paragraph, in accordance with applicable state law.
Socially disadvantaged individuals are those whose ability to purchase or own a home has been
impaired due to diminished access to credit on reasonable terms as compared to others in
comparable economic circumstances, based on disparities in homeownership rates in the HAF
participant’s jurisdiction as documented by the U.S. Census. The impairment must stem from
circumstances beyond their control. Indicators of impairment under this definition may include
being a (1) member of a group that has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias
within American society, (2) resident of a majority-minority Census tract; (3) individual with
limited English proficiency; (4) resident of a U.S. territory, Indian reservation, or Hawaiian Home