Marion County looks for help from federal housing fund

Marion County officials are urging area homeowners to check their eligibility on a new state housing payment program. The Florida Hardest Hit fund helps unemployed or underemployed homeowners pay their mortgages and applications are now available. Marion County Community Services Department Director Cheryl Amey says the need for this program in the county is high.

“Marion County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state- I believe we are still up around 11%. That is one of the reasons Marion County has been included in a lot of different programs for foreclosure prevention, we were one of the hardest hit counties for employment,” she says.

More information about the program and standards for eligibility can be found on www.flhardesthit.org.