Foreclosure Help & Housing Resources in Northeast Florida
Save the home first. If staying in your home is possible, we want to help you find the programs that make it happen. If you need a fast exit, we can help with that too. Every phone number and program below was checked by hand, and every one of them is free to call.
Read this first: Florida HAF is closed
Florida's Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is permanently closed to new applicants. It closed in 2022. Do not pay anyone who promises to get you HAF money. If you are behind on payments or have been served with a foreclosure lawsuit, act now. Three best first calls:
- HUD-approved housing counselor referral line: 800-569-4287 (free)
- Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA): 904-356-8371 (free legal help, income qualified)
- United Way 211 Helpline: dial 2-1-1 or 904-632-0600 (24/7)
I'm Chris Moore. I run a small, family owned home buying company in Orange Park, and I talk with homeowners in trouble every week. Most of them do not need to sell. They need a housing counselor, a legal aid attorney, or a county program that catches them up on a utility bill. So my team built this directory of the real, verified help lines for Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, and Baker counties. Use it. Share it. It costs nothing.
We are not affiliated with these organizations and we do not receive anything for listing them. We verified this information in August 2026. Programs change, so please call to confirm before you rely on anything here.
Statewide & National Help
HUD Housing Counselor Referral Line
Free referral to a HUD-approved housing counselor. 8am-8pm ET.
GreenPath Financial Wellness
HUD-approved agency. Free foreclosure-avoidance counseling and debt management.
VA Home Loan Foreclosure Avoidance
VA loan technicians help veterans with delinquent VA-backed mortgages.
877-827-3702 (select option 6)
va.gov housing assistance
FHA Resource Center (HUD)
Help for FHA-insured borrowers with loss mitigation options.
United Way 211 Northeast Florida
24/7 helpline connecting you to local rent, utility, and food help. You can also text "Hello" to 211904.
Dial 2-1-1 or 904-632-0600
unitedwaynefl.org
Duval County (Jacksonville)
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) Foreclosure Unit
Free civil legal defense for income-qualified homeowners facing foreclosure. 126 W Adams St.
904-356-8371 (toll free 866-356-8371)
jaxlegalaid.org
City of Jacksonville Emergency Financial Assistance
Short-term help with past-due rent, mortgage, and utilities. Appointment line opens 9:30am weekdays, first caller first served. Priority if you have an eviction notice.
Changing Homelessness (SSVF for veterans)
Rapid re-housing and emergency help for veteran families. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.
Jacksonville Urban League
HUD-approved housing counseling and foreclosure prevention. 903 W Union St.
NACA Jacksonville
Mortgage counseling and loan restructuring. 3986 Boulevard Center Dr, Suite 101.
Wealth Watchers, Inc.
HUD-approved foreclosure mitigation, credit and default counseling.
Clay County
Clay County SHIP Program
County housing help including repairs and housing stability. Email claycares@claycountygov.com
Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (NFCAA), Orange Park
LIHEAP energy/utility bill help and emergency rent or mortgage support. 1543 Kingsley Ave, Suite 10.
904-592-4838 ext 201
nfcaa.org/locations
Mercy Support Services
Emergency rental assistance and housing case management. Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, call first, no walk-ins.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Clay Office
Free legal help for qualified residents. Clay County Courthouse, 825 N Orange Ave, Room 308, Green Cove Springs. By appointment only.
904-284-8410 (toll free 866-284-8410)
jaxlegalaid.org
St. Johns County
St. Johns Housing Partnership
HUD-approved foreclosure counseling, loan workout planning, home repair.
904-819-1266 (rehab and admin office 904-824-0902)
sjhp.org
St. Johns County Social Services
Emergency help with rent, mortgage arrears, and utility shutoff.
Catholic Charities Bureau, St. Augustine
Emergency financial help for past-due rent, mortgage, and utilities.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, St. Johns Office
Free civil legal aid for income-qualified residents. Eligibility limits apply, call to check.
904-827-9921 (toll free 877-827-9921)
jaxlegalaid.org
Putnam County
Putnam County SHIP Program
County housing assistance including emergency repair and housing stability.
Catholic Charities, Palatka Office
Emergency rent, mortgage, deposit, and utility help. 1000 Husson Ave.
Christian Service Center of Palatka
Emergency help with utilities and rent or mortgage arrears. 820 Reid St. Appointments needed in advance.
Community Legal Services (Putnam)
Free legal representation and foreclosure help for eligible low-income families.
800-405-1417 (statewide intake helpline)
legalaccessforall.org
Volunteers of America Florida, SSVF
Veteran rapid re-housing and emergency help. Serves Putnam County.
Baker County
Baker County SHIP Program
County housing help. Note a waiting list may be in effect.
904-259-3613 option 2
bakercountyfl.org
Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (NFCAA), Macclenny
LIHEAP energy/utility help and emergency rent or mortgage support. 96 W Lowder St.
Baker County Council on Aging (EHEAP)
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for households with a member age 60 or older.
What to Do Right Now
Find the situation that matches yours and start with that list. You do not need to have everything figured out before you make the first call.
1. Behind on payments (pre-foreclosure)
- Call your servicer's Loss Mitigation Department and ask about forbearance or a repayment plan.
- Call a HUD counselor at 800-569-4287. It is free.
- Gather 2 years of tax returns, 30 days of paystubs, and 2 months of bank statements so you are ready to apply for help.
2. Served with a foreclosure lawsuit
- In Florida you generally have 20 days from being served to file a written response with the court, or the lender can ask for a default judgment.
- Call JALA at 904-356-8371 immediately.
- Do not ignore the summons.
3. You have an FHA loan
- As of October 1, 2025, FHA's permanent loss mitigation options are in effect.
- Your servicer must review you for forbearance, the FHA Payment Supplement, or a loan modification (including a 40 year term).
- Generally only one permanent option per 24 months.
- Call 800-225-5342.
4. You have a VA loan
- The VA Partial Claim Program launched June 15, 2026 (servicers have until late November 2026 to fully implement it).
- The VA can pay your servicer to bring the loan current and place an interest free junior lien you repay only when you sell or refinance.
- Call 877-827-3702 option 6.
5. Veteran at risk of losing housing
- Call Changing Homelessness at 904-354-1100 (Duval, and they serve the region) or VOA Florida at 352-240-1340 for Putnam.
- Also call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida's Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) still open?
No. Florida's HAF program closed to new applicants in 2022 after committing all of its federal funding, and it has not reopened. Be careful with anyone who offers to get you HAF money for a fee. Free help is available from HUD-approved counselors and local legal aid.
How long do I have to respond to a foreclosure lawsuit in Florida?
Generally 20 days from the date you are served. If you do not file a written response with the court, the lender can ask the judge for a default judgment. Contact legal aid right away.
Can I stop a foreclosure after the lawsuit starts?
Often yes. A foreclosure can usually be stopped up until the sale is final. Options include a loan modification or other loss mitigation with your servicer, legal defense, bankruptcy, or selling the home to pay off the loan before the sale date.
Who qualifies for county SHIP housing assistance?
SHIP serves very low, low, and moderate income households, with moderate income generally capped at 120% of the Area Median Income. Each county runs its own program and may have a waiting list, so contact your county office directly.
What is the difference between LIHEAP and EHEAP?
LIHEAP helps low income households with home energy and utility bills. EHEAP is emergency home energy assistance specifically for low income households that include someone age 60 or older.
If Keeping the Home Is Not Possible
Sometimes the numbers just do not work, and the kindest thing anyone can tell you is the truth. If keeping your home is off the table and you need a fast, private exit, I can make a no obligation cash offer on your house, and I will tell you honestly if listing it or another option would put more money in your pocket. I am a Marine Corps veteran and a licensed Florida real estate agent, my company is family run, and we serve Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Baker, and Putnam counties from our office in Orange Park.
Get a cash offer Call or text 904-606-9163
You may also find these pages useful: how to stop a foreclosure in Jacksonville and our full Homeowner Help Hub.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Please talk with a licensed Florida attorney, a CPA, or a free HUD-approved housing counselor about your situation.
Whatever happens next,
you do not have to figure it out alone.
Start with the free resources above. And if you ever want a straight answer about selling, call or text anytime. No pressure, no obligation, no judgment.