Many federal, state and local agencies administer programs to assist people who need help buying a home. Some of these are loan programs; others provide assistance with down payments or with building a home. GO »
These mortgages, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are government-insured loans that offer very low downpayments, which may be borrowed from relatives. Rates are often lower, and qualifying is easier because credit is not as large a factor. These loans are often assumable, meaning you can take them over from the previous owners or allow a buyer to take it over from you. Refinancing is easier, and there are other products and services available. There is, however, a cap on how much can be borrowed. Processing may take longer and appraisal guidelines may be strict; the house must be worth the selling price. FHA mortgages are not restricted to first-time borrowers. GO »
VA mortgages are government-insured loans available to veterans of the armed services, those currently on active duty or in the reserves, and widows or widowers of veterans. Like FHA loans, VA loans have guidelines that allow more people to qualify. In addition, some VA loans require no downpayment at all. There are limits on the size of VA loans, but usually they are large enough to cover the purchase of moderately priced homes across the country. VA-guaranteed home loans are made by private lenders. The guaranty means that VA will protect the lender against loss if the veteran or a later owner fails to repay the loan.
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This program provides a variety of financing for low- and very-low income buyers in rural areas. If you are a farmer or live in a rural area, ask mortgage lenders if you may qualify. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides a number of homeownership opportunities to rural Americans, as well as programs for home renovation and repair. RHS also makes financing available to elderly, disabled, or low-income rural residents of multi-unit housing buildings to ensure they are able to make rent payments. Direct loan and grant income limits are listed by state on the program's Web site. Designed specifically for older borrowers who have substantial equity in their homes, this type of mortgage can be used to increase the monthly income of retired or elderly borrowers. It enables them to use the equity in their home without selling or moving. The owner receives a monthly payment that slowly reduces the equity. However, the loan must be repaid if the borrower sells, moves, or dies, which may reduce the value of equity available to heirs. Information on reverse mortgages can be found at these Web sites: The American Dream Downpayment Assistance Initiative authorizes up to $200 million annually around the country for downpayment assistance. To be eligible for ADDI assistance, individuals must be first-time home buyers interested in purchasing single family housing. A first-time home buyer is defined as an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home during the three-year period prior to the purchase of a home with ADDI assistance. ADDI funds may be used to purchase one- to four- family housing, condominium unit, cooperative unit, or manufactured housing. Individuals who qualify for ADDI assistance must have incomes not exceeding 80 percent of area median income. ADDI provides funds to all states and to local participating jurisdictions that have a population of at least 150,000. For more information: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112
TTY: (202) 708-1455
Zero Downpayment Act eliminates the downpayment requirement for families and individuals who buy homes with Federal Housing Authority (FHA) insured mortgages. The Zero Downpayment Act offers opportunities for first-time home buyers who do not hold enough savings for downpayments, who meet FHA’s underwriting requirements, and who can easily afford monthly mortgage payments. The zero down plan is different from assistance programs like the American Dream Downpayment Act. Instead of granting a lump-sum award to qualified homeowners, FHA charges a modestly higher insurance premium to lenders on its zero down loans. Contact HUD for more information.
HUD designed this program to encourage teachers to buy homes in low- to moderate-income areas. Those who work full time for a public school, private school, or federal, state, county or city educational agency as a state-certified, classroom teacher or administrator in grades K-12 may qualify. You must be in good standing with your employer.
Your employer must certify that you are a full-time teacher or school administrator. You don't have to be a first-time home buyer to participate. However, you cannot own any other home at the time you close on your home. You must agree to live in the HUD home as your only residence for three years after you move into it. http://www.fhainfo.com/teachernextdoor.htm
HOME provides grants to states and localities. Communities use this money, often working with local nonprofit groups, to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or to provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.
The eligibility of households for HOME assistance varies. For rental housing and rental assistance, at least 90 percent of benefiting families must have incomes that are no more than 60 percent of the HUD-adjusted median family income for the area. HOME income limits are published each year by HUD. For more information: http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/home/index.cfm HUD Mortgage Insurance Programs http://www.hud.gov/buying/loans.cfm
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot.cfm
HUD Public Housing Homeownership Programs http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/centers/sac/homeownership/index.cfm
HUD Homeownership Voucher Program http://www.hud.gov
State home buying programs http://www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm Other special programs are administered by state and local housing finance administrations, state and local government agencies or even private organizations. Call your local government housing office and ask to speak with someone who can give you information about downpayment assistance or other housing programs that are offered in your area, and which lenders offer these programs. Some programs require the downpayment funds to be repaid, while others do not. Typically these programs vary from community to community and may have guidelines, such as a maximum borrower income. Home buyer education programs are offered through lenders and mortgage insurance companies. With some of these programs, a lower downpayment will be allowed after completion of a home buyer education course, which can be offered online or in a lender's office.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization that helps low-income people build and buy houses. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:
- Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage
- Home buyers and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision
- Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support
Home buyer families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. The average cost of a Habitat house in the United States is $60,000. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years. Visit http://www.habitat.org for more information. You may be able to obtain reduced interest rates through bond money programs. Your lender should be familiar with any bond money programs that are available in your area. State or local agencies issue bonds and use the proceeds to help qualify loan applications. Be sure to ask your lender what other programs are available in your area especially for first-time home buyers.
Disclaimer: Although MBA tries to keep its listings current, government programs often change. New programs may be added; existing programs may be modified or eliminated. You should check with a lender experienced in state and/or federal housing programs to determine the availability of, and your eligibility for, government programs.
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