Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, administered by Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (subrecipient of City of Tuscaloosa Office of Federal Programs).
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Cannot have owned a home in the previous 3 years
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A completed homebuyer education course, through City of Tuscaloosa Homeownership Counseling Program (HUD-certified), free in-person 3-4 hour class; certificate valid 2 years; (205) 248-5096
- Residency: Home within Tuscaloosa city limits; occupied as principal residence (no renting/leasing)
- Verified on THA/City primary sources and the THA Homebuyer Program Policy PDF (amended 03.20.2024). Front-end housing ratio 20-33%; back-end ratio must be below 43% (underwritten to a 36% target via Exhibit A). GAPS not confirmed: minimum credit score (lender-determined), exact assistance dollar min/max (calculated per Exhibit A; minimum equals lender-required 10% down), hud_ami_year. Resale within 15 years must be to a buyer at or below 80% AMI.
- A home inside Tuscaloosa city limits
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- 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.
Where it applies
Tuscaloosa’s homesTuscaloosa’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 49.3% single-familysingle-family
- 2.7% townhousetownhouse
- 9.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 36.9% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.3% 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.
$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
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through City of Tuscaloosa Homeownership Counseling Program (HUD-certified), free in-person 3-4 hour class; certificate valid 2 years; (205) 248-5096.
Contact Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (subrecipient of City of Tuscaloosa Office of Federal Programs) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider 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 Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, administered by Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (subrecipient of City of Tuscaloosa Office of Federal Programs). The Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program serves first-time homebuyers (no homeownership in the prior 3 years) earning 50%-80% of area median income. The City of Tuscaloosa allocates federal HOME funds to THA, which combines them with program income to develop new-construction homes and provide a zero-interest deferred forgivable second-mortgage. Buyers secure their own primary mortgage, contribute a $1,000 down payment, complete the City's free HUD-certified counseling, and occupy the home as their principal residence under a 15-year affordability period after which the assistance is fully forgiven. Zero-interest deferred second mortgage. Forgivable over 15 years (prorated). Down-payment/gap financing. Access to newly constructed homes. Free HUD-certified pre-purchase counseling. Low $1,000 buyer contribution. Funding comes from Federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds (City of Tuscaloosa Participating Jurisdiction) administered by THA as subrecipient, plus THA program income.
Do you have to pay it back?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program is forgiven after 15 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Triggering event within the 15-year affordability period (sale, transfer, refinance, home-equity loan, foreclosure, casualty/condemnation, or ceasing owner-occupancy) requires prorated repayment; fully forgiven after 15 years of owner-occupancy. The assistance is recorded in Second mortgage (silent second), subordinate to the primary mortgage position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Cannot have owned a home in the previous 3 years. A homebuyer education course is required, through City of Tuscaloosa Homeownership Counseling Program (HUD-certified), free in-person 3-4 hour class; certificate valid 2 years; (205) 248-5096. Residency requirement: Home within Tuscaloosa city limits; occupied as principal residence (no renting/leasing). Verified on THA/City primary sources and the THA Homebuyer Program Policy PDF (amended 03.20.2024). Front-end housing ratio 20-33%; back-end ratio must be below 43% (underwritten to a 36% target via Exhibit A). GAPS not confirmed: minimum credit score (lender-determined), exact assistance dollar min/max (calculated per Exhibit A; minimum equals lender-required 10% down), hud_ami_year. Resale within 15 years must be to a buyer at or below 80% AMI.
What are the income limits?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income 50%-80% of HUD AMI by household size. Exhibit A 80% AMI maximums: 1-person $34,450; 2-person $39,400; 3-person $44,300; 4-person $49,200. Income determined using Part 5 (24 CFR 5) definition; all household members counted. 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?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program caps the purchase price as follows: Not to exceed fair-market value per independent third-party appraisal (no fixed dollar cap). Eligible property types include Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
How do you apply?
Applications for Tuscaloosa Housing Authority HOME-Assisted Homebuyer Program go through Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (subrecipient of City of Tuscaloosa Office of Federal Programs), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. 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 Tuscaloosa homebuyersOther programs open to Tuscaloosa homebuyers
- City of Tuscaloosa Down Payment Assistance ProgramForgivable
- Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa Path to Homeownership ProgramAssistance available
- RCLF Alabama Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $20,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 74 programs for TuscaloosaProgram terms are set by Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (subrecipient of City of Tuscaloosa Office of Federal Programs) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.