See what you qualify for
City programForgivable

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile)

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Mobile, Alabama, administered by City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department.

Last verified Source: City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Mobile (251-602-0011); Legal Services Alabama (251-433-6560 ext. 3429). HUD requires at least 8 hours of approved pre-purchase counseling.
  • Residency: Home must be within Mobile city limits and occupied as primary residence; HUD requires a five-year residency.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizens or legal aliens with a valid Green Card.
  • Separate from the already-cataloged Mobile COUNTY First Time Home Buyers Program - this is the CITY of Mobile program. The 2022 flyer (up to $10,000, or $15,000 for blighted property) is superseded by the 6/11/2025 flyer showing up to $15,000. Min credit score and DTI not published on the official source and are omitted.
  • A home inside Mobile city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $193,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Mobile

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 Mobile 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.

$83,300
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Mobile’s homes

  • 67.4% single-family
  • 1.7% townhouse
  • 5.4% 2–4 units
  • 23.9% 5+ units
  • 1.6% mobile & other

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

$193,300

Mobile median home value

61.2%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Mobile (251-602-0011); Legal Services Alabama (251-433-6560 ext. 3429). HUD requires at least 8 hours of approved pre-purchase counseling..

  2. Contact City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Applications through the City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department after completing homebuyer counseling., and are subject to availability.

  3. 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 Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile)?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Mobile, Alabama, administered by City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department. The City of Mobile's First Time Home Buyers' Program (Down Payment Assistance Program) helps income-eligible first-time buyers with up to $15,000 toward down payment and eligible closing costs to purchase a home within Mobile city limits. Funds are a HUD HOME-funded forgivable loan, fully forgiven if the buyer occupies the home as their primary residence for five years. All applicants must complete at least 8 hours of pre-purchase homeowner counseling, and the home must pass an HQS inspection. Up to $15,000 for down payment and eligible closing costs. 0% interest, forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. Covers single-family, condo, duplex, and modular homes. Pre-purchase counseling provided through local HUD-approved partners. Funding comes from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

How much assistance does it provide?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) offers up to $15,000 in assistance. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Pro-rata repayment if the homeowner does not maintain the home as their primary residence for the full five-year period. 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?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Mobile (251-602-0011); Legal Services Alabama (251-433-6560 ext. 3429). HUD requires at least 8 hours of approved pre-purchase counseling. Residency requirement: Home must be within Mobile city limits and occupied as primary residence; HUD requires a five-year residency. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizens or legal aliens with a valid Green Card. Separate from the already-cataloged Mobile COUNTY First Time Home Buyers Program - this is the CITY of Mobile program. The 2022 flyer (up to $10,000, or $15,000 for blighted property) is superseded by the 6/11/2025 flyer showing up to $15,000. Min credit score and DTI not published on the official source and are omitted.

What are the income limits?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. HUD income limits effective 6/1/2025 (household must earn less than): 1 person $45,650; 2 $52,200; 3 $58,700; 4 $65,200; 5 $70,450; 6 $75,650; 7 $80,850; 8 $86,100. 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?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) caps the purchase price at $193,000. Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, Duplex, and Modular. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) serves homebuyers purchasing in Mobile, Alabama.

How do you apply?

Applications for Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Mobile) go through City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Applications through the City of Mobile Community & Housing Development Department after completing homebuyer counseling. 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 Mobile Community & Housing Development Department and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.