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City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, administered by City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services.

Last verified Source: City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • Primary residence throughout affordability period (5/10/15 years), HUD HOME income eligibility, lead-based-paint assessment on pre-1978 homes, lien/deed restriction recorded in Tuscaloosa County. Max assistance dollar amount not published online; contact OCNS.
  • A home inside Tuscaloosa city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Tuscaloosa

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Tuscaloosa County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$93,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Tuscaloosa’s homes

  • 49.3% single-family
  • 2.7% townhouse
  • 9.9% 2–4 units
  • 36.9% 5+ units
  • 1.3% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$255,500

Tuscaloosa median home value

42.2%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Tuscaloosa

How to apply

  1. Contact City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Funding availability varies annually based on HOME allocation and program income; applicants apply through the Office of Community & Neighborhood Services, and are subject to availability.

  2. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, administered by City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services. The City of Tuscaloosa, through its Office of Community & Neighborhood Services, operates a HOME-funded Down Payment Assistance Program providing down payment, closing cost, and/or principal buydown assistance to income-eligible homebuyers citywide. Assistance is a 0.00% interest loan that may be repaid or deferred/forgivable, secured by a lien/note/deed restriction, with a HOME affordability/recapture period of 5, 10, or 15 years. Distinct from the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority program. 0.00% interest. Deferred/forgivable second loan. Covers down payment, closing costs, and/or principal buydown. Citywide. No payments unless sold/transferred before end of affordability period. Recapture limited to net sale proceeds. Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program administered by the City of Tuscaloosa.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status before the end of the affordability period (5, 10, or 15 years based on amount of assistance); recapture limited to net proceeds from sale. The assistance is recorded in second position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. Primary residence throughout affordability period (5/10/15 years), HUD HOME income eligibility, lead-based-paint assessment on pre-1978 homes, lien/deed restriction recorded in Tuscaloosa County. Max assistance dollar amount not published online; contact OCNS.

What are the income limits?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. HOME-funded homebuyer assistance limited to low- to moderate-income households (HUD HOME limits, up to 80% AMI). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance Program go through City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Funding availability varies annually based on HOME allocation and program income; applicants apply through the Office of Community & Neighborhood Services. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by City of Tuscaloosa, Office of Community & Neighborhood Services and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.