Mayor Sarno Provides Additional $300,000 to Way Finders for Mortgage Assistance Program

Original Article from the City of Springfield

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan and Housing Director Geraldine McCafferty announced today that the City of Springfield will provide an additional $300,000 to Way Finders for the Mortgage Assistance Program.  This amount is in addition to the $2 million the City committed to Way Finders in grant funding to assist renters and homeowners so that they can stay in their homes.    

Mayor Sarno states, “CDO Tim Sheehan, Housing Director Gerry McCafferty and I want to thank Way Finders President and CEO Keith Fairey, Senior VP of Housing Consumer Education Jodi Smith and their team for partnering with the City to provide this much-needed assistance program to our residents.  This COVID-19 pandemic has put a tremendous strain on some of our residents.  Recently, we have seen a significant increase for mortgage assistance relief.  To meet this growing demand, I have directed CDO Tim Sheehan to allocate an additional $300,000 to Way Finders to support this mortgage assistance program.  These funds will help qualifying residents with their mortgage payments in the face of financial challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic and will greatly help Way Finders in stabilizing this account.  My Administration is committed and will continue to provide assistance to help ease the economic burdens for our residents as a result of the pandemic.” 

CDO Tim Sheehan stated, “The City’s commitment of additional mortgage assistance funds to Way Finders, furthers the Mayor’s commitment to ensuring that the people of Springfield remain stably housed throughout the pandemic.  No person during this time of economic and public health insecurity should have to worry about losing their home.   In partnership with Way Finders the City continues to do everything it can to ease the economic burdens of both homeowners and renters brought on by the pandemic by providing our residents with much needed assistance and flexibility.”

Way Finders President and CEO Keith Fairey said, “We are grateful to Mayor Sarno for his continued support and investment during this challenging time.  The resources the city is making available will provide a critical lifeline to Springfield homeowners that are experiencing economic hardship during this extended crisis.”

Way Finders can also assist with overdue rent, mortgage, and utility charges.  For more information, residents can call Way Finders at (413) 233-1600. 

Way Finders provides emergency financial assistance under several programs funded by federal, state, and City of Springfield sources. Between March 2020 and July 2021, Way Finders has assisted over 6,700 households in the region, distributing over $33 million.