Homeownership Assistance Program

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The Homeownership Assistance Program has paused acceptance of new applications

The program will begin accepting new applications in late summer 2024. The application reopening date is dependent upon the availability of HUD funding.

The Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) provides down payment and closing costs assistance to first-time and first-generation homebuyers for the purchase of a home within designated counties impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. The program strives to:

  • Increase homeownership to support long-term resilience and the economic viability of designated counties impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew;
  • Incentivize home-ready renters to become first-time homebuyers and reside in storm-impacted communities to reduce negative economic consequences to those communities; and
  • Improve homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households.

Made possible through federal long-term disaster recovery funding provided through NCORR's Community Development Office, the program will serve LMI households in North Carolina counties federally designated as "Most Impacted and Distressed" (MID) due to damage from Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. Eligible applicants can receive up to $30,000 of the sales price in down payment assistance in addition to receiving closing costs assistance up to 5% of the sales price. The program will also offer homebuyer education and counseling.

The information on this webpage refers to Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) assistance in the 16 eastern MID counties. For information about HAP in Haywood County, visit the program webpage.

Learn More About HAP in Haywood County

More Information

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To apply to the Homeownership Assistance Program, homebuyers must:

  • Be a first-time homebuyer or first-generation homebuyer
    • A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home as a primary residence in the past three years. (Code of Federal Regulations 24 CFR 572.5)
    • A first-generation homebuyer is defined as a first-time homebuyer whose parent(s) or guardian(s) never owned a home during the homebuyer’s lifetime or lost the home to a foreclosure or short sale and do not currently own a home.
  • Have obtained a recent pre-approval from a mortgage lender to begin the buying process and further be able to deliver the pre-approval to the program at the time of application submission
  • Have a total household income that does not exceed 120% of the area median income (AMI) for the County of Purchase as published annually by HUD for the HOME program (Current AMI limits can be found here.)
  • Ensure all purchases are an Arm’s Length Transaction defined as “a transaction between unrelated parties who are each acting in their own best interest”
  • Purchase a home in an eligible county defined by HUD as Most Impacted and Distressed by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew (See the table below for eligible counties.)
  • Complete free Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education content provided by the program and meet with a HUD-certified housing counselor (A Homebuyer Education certificate will be provided upon completion.)
  • Have at least one member of the household who is a United States citizen
  • Have liquid assets that do not exceed $30,000 (Proof of loans for cash on hand can be considered for verification.)
  • Have a fixed rate mortgage (Adjustable-rate mortgages are not allowed. No owner financing will be allowed.)
  • Remain in the property for three years (If applicants leave the property within three years, they will be required to pay back all assistance funds.)

 

Eligible Counties for the Homeownership Assistance Program
Bladen Craven Jones Pender
Brunswick Cumberland New Hanover Robeson
Carteret Duplin Onslow Scotland
Columbus Edgecombe Pamlico Wayne

Please send all program and application questions to HAP.support@ncdps.gov.

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