TEN9-11-ACC.pdf

ETA Advisory File Text

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WASHINGTON D.C. 20210 NO. 9-11 TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT NOTICE DATE September 21 2011 TO STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LIASONS STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARDS FROM JANE OATES s Assistant Secretary SUBJECT Hardest Hit Fund 1. Purpose . To advise states about President Obama s Hardest Hit Fund and advise states to consider ways that unemployed workers facing severe financial hardship can be informed of the program specifically through One-Stop Career Centers state websites and other methods as identified by the individual state. 2. Background . President Obama established the Hardest Hit Fund last year to provide targeted aid to struggling homeowners in states hit hard by the economic and housing market downturn. These states represent those that have been hardest hit by unemployment and steep home price declines. In total 18 states and the District of Columbia received funding through the program. These states are Alabama Kentucky Ohio Arizona Michigan Oregon California Mississippi Rhode Island Florida Nevada South Carolina Georgia New Jersey Tennessee Illinois North Carolina Washington DC Indiana Each state housing finance agency has designed its program to meet the particular challenges struggling homeowners in their state are facing. Hardest Hit Fund programs may include the following Mortgage payment assistance for unemployed or underemployed homeowners Principal reduction to help homeowners get into more affordable mortgages Funding to eliminate homeowners second lien loans and Help for homeowners who are transitioning out of their homes into more affordable places of residence. 2 3. Dissemination of Information about the Hardest Hit Fund . States are asked to consider how they may disseminate information about the Hardest Hit Fund. While state Unemployment Insurance UI agencies may not use UI funds for non-UI purposes such information may be disseminated for little or no cost when for example it is posted on the state website including the UI page utilized by unemployed workers. Information may also be made available at One- Stop Career Centers and with the local Workforce Investment Boards in the form of posters or pamphlets. The U.S. Department of Labor will be adding a link to the U.S. Department of Treasury s website which provides information about the Hardest Hit Fund and links to state specific information http www.treasury.gov initiatives financial-stability programs housing- programs hhf Pages default.aspx . On this Web site individuals will find the links to their state s housing finance agency which will provide more information about applying for the Hardest Hit Fund. Nine states and the District of Columbia have developed consumer fact sheets with program details California Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Kentucky North Carolina Rhode Island Tennessee Washington DC The fact sheets about the Hardest Hit Fund as it applies to these state s can be found on the website listed above and copies can be made for individuals inquiring about the program. 4. Action Requested . State administrators are requested to distribute this information throughout the workforce investment and UI communities and to interested stakeholders. 5. Inquiries . Questions may be referred to the appropriate Regional Office.