Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Mobile County, Alabama, administered by Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA).
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Homebuyer counseling required.
- Residency: Property must be a single-family dwelling within designated Mobile County municipalities (Bayou La Batre, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Creola, Saraland, Satsuma, Semmes, Mount Vernon, Prichard) and unincorporated areas. Homes within the City of Mobile or the Town of Dauphin Island are NOT eligible. Priority to applicants who were Mobile County residents at the time of Hurricanes Sally & Zeta (Sept. 11-16, 2020 and Oct. 28-29, 2020).
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizens or qualified aliens eligible for federal benefits under PRWORA (1996).
- DISTINCT from the already-cataloged Mobile County 'First Time Home Buyers Program' (the standard HOME DPA up to $25,000). This HDPA is the CDBG-DR disaster-recovery product (up to $50,000) and is currently OPEN/accepting applications (2026 flyers). Excludes City of Mobile and Dauphin Island. Home value limits updated beginning April 1, 2026 (exact dollar figure not on flyer). Min credit score and DTI not published.
- A home in Mobile County
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Mobile County
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.
Where it applies
Mobile County’s homesMobile County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 73.3% single-familysingle-family
- 1.3% townhousetownhouse
- 3.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 14.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 7.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$190,700
Mobile County median home value
50.8%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Mobile County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Homebuyer counseling required..
Contact Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Apply by calling the Mobile County Grants Department at (251) 574-5065., and are subject to availability.
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 Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Mobile County, Alabama, administered by Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA). Mobile County's Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) is a CDBG-DR (Hurricanes Sally & Zeta) program administered through ADECA that provides up to $50,000 (minimum $1,000) toward the purchase of a single-family home in designated Mobile County municipalities and unincorporated areas. Assistance is an interest-free deferred loan forgiven over up to ten years as long as the home remains the buyer's primary residence. The program prioritizes low- and moderate-income households impacted by the 2020 storms but also welcomes others on the path to homeownership; properties within the City of Mobile and Town of Dauphin Island are excluded. Up to $50,000 in assistance (minimum $1,000). 0% interest, forgiven over up to 10 years. Open to non-first-time buyers and storm-impacted households. Works with conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA Qualified Mortgages. Funding comes from Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Hurricanes Sally & Zeta, administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
How much assistance does it provide?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County offers between $1,000 and $50,000 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 — Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA) determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Interest-free deferred loan forgiven over up to ten years; homebuyer must maintain the home as their primary residence. 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?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through Homebuyer counseling required. Residency requirement: Property must be a single-family dwelling within designated Mobile County municipalities (Bayou La Batre, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Creola, Saraland, Satsuma, Semmes, Mount Vernon, Prichard) and unincorporated areas. Homes within the City of Mobile or the Town of Dauphin Island are NOT eligible. Priority to applicants who were Mobile County residents at the time of Hurricanes Sally & Zeta (Sept. 11-16, 2020 and Oct. 28-29, 2020). Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizens or qualified aliens eligible for federal benefits under PRWORA (1996). DISTINCT from the already-cataloged Mobile County 'First Time Home Buyers Program' (the standard HOME DPA up to $25,000). This HDPA is the CDBG-DR disaster-recovery product (up to $50,000) and is currently OPEN/accepting applications (2026 flyers). Excludes City of Mobile and Dauphin Island. Home value limits updated beginning April 1, 2026 (exact dollar figure not on flyer). Min credit score and DTI not published.
What are the income limits?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 2026 HUD income limits (household must be at or below 80% AMI for Mobile County, revised annually): 1 person $69,950; 2 $79,950; 3 $89,950; 4 $99,950; 5 $107,950; 6 $115,950; 7 $123,950; 8 $131,950. (Disaster-recovery eligibility references up to 120% AMI for storm-impacted applicants.). 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?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County caps the purchase price as follows: Home value limits updated beginning April 1, 2026 (specific dollar limit not stated on the flyer). Eligible property types include Single Family.
Where does it apply?
Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County serves homebuyers purchasing in Mobile County, Alabama. The program targets specific areas: Priority to low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters impacted by 2020 Hurricanes Sally & Zeta; eligible only in designated Mobile County municipalities and unincorporated areas (excluding City of Mobile and Dauphin Island).
How do you apply?
Applications for Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HDPA) - Mobile County go through Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Apply by calling the Mobile County Grants Department at (251) 574-5065. 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.
Also for Mobile County homebuyersOther programs open to Mobile County homebuyers
- RCLF Alabama Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $20,000
- Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)Up to $2,000
- First StepGrant
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 72 programs for Mobile CountyProgram terms are set by Mobile County Grants Department (CDBG-DR via Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs / ADECA) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.