Families whose houses were damaged and are unable to make their monthly payments because of hurricanes Katrina, Rita or Wilma can have the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pay their mortgages interest-free for a year. The government will pay an owner’s principal, taxes and interest. For someone with monthly payments of $1,275, HUD will pay $15,300 for the year. The homeowners will have to pay the loan back at the conclusion of their primary loan.

There are some requirements:

• A homeowner must have a Federal Housing Authority-insured loan, generally reserved for low-income and first-time home buyers. They must have missed at least four mortgage payments.

• Their house must be repairable.

• They must show they can’t make payments either from a loss of income, increase in living expenses or property damage.

• They must be employed, or show they will be employed and able to make regular mortgage payments after a year.

• Second mortgages do not qualify.

The government estimates 1,900 Florida homeowners could be eligible for this new $200 million mortgage-relief program for hurricane victims .

Related: Government Help With Mortgage