Mortgage help organizations

If you're having trouble paying your mortgage, these non-profit organizations and government assistance programs could help.

The Citi Office of Homeownership Preservation

Get advice and assistance on foreclosure alternatives, plus information about foreclosure-prevention events and seminars.

Office of Homeownership Preservation
View brochure

Making Home Affordable

Find detailed information about financial stability programs and use tools and calculators to see if you're eligible for a loan modification or a refinance.

Making Home Affordable

Hope Now

Hope Now's alliance of counselors, mortgage companies, investors and other mortgage industry participants work together to help homeowners stay in their homes.

Hope Now

Homeownership Preservation Foundation

Get free counseling to help you avoid foreclosure through the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit organization. You can speak to a counselor at 1-888-995-HOPE or get more information at

Homeownership Preservation Foundation

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

To receive information from HUD or 1 of its certified counseling agencies, call 1-800-569-4287 or visit

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Washington Homeownership Information

If you live in Washington State, you can speak with a counselor to help explore your financial options. Call the Washington Homeownership Information Hotline at 1-877-894-HOME or learn more at

Washington Homeownership Information

How to write a hardship letter

A hardship letter, detailing your income, loan and finances, helps us evaluate your situation and what kind of support you need.

Your hardship letter should:

• Include the loan number, all borrowers' names and property address first so we can locate your loan easily.
• State your intent: Do you want to keep your home?
• Explain why you can't meet your monthly mortgage payment.
• State whether your hardship is temporary or permanent. For example, losing your job then regaining employment is a temporary hardship. Can you resume paying the same amount you paid prior to the hardship?
• State clearly how, when and where you'd like to be contacted.
• Be clear and concise. Describe your situation, but only include relevant details.

For example:

Loan number: XXXXXXXX
Borrower name: John Smith
Property address: 123 Maple Street, Anytown IL 55555-5555

In June of 2010, I lost my job. Over the months of July, August and September, I managed to make my monthly payment, though I struggled. When the interest rate increased on my adjustable loan, in spite of budgeting and cutting down on any unnecessary expenses, I was no longer able to make the payments.

I have recently been hired at another company with the same salary as that of my previous position. I would like to stay in my home if possible.

Please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET; or at YYY-YYY-YYYY anytime after 5:00 PM ET or on weekends.