FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Arkansas, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
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 Must complete a homebuyer counseling program
- Funds accessed only through an FHLB Dallas member institution; first mortgage must be originated by the member, a wholly-owned subsidiary, or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Member cap $150,000 per offering. No cash back at closing. Final 2026 offering Sept 8, 2026.
- A home in Arkansas
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 80% of area median income
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 the area median income where the home is
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
Arkansas’s homesThe homes in Arkansas
- 70% single-familysingle-family
- 1.9% townhousetownhouse
- 6.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 10.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 11.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
$188,000
Arkansas median home value
39.6%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Must complete a homebuyer counseling program.
Contact Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served through FHLB Dallas member institutions; 2026 released in five rounds until funds exhausted or Dec 31, 2026, 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 FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Arkansas, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. HELP provides down payment and/or closing cost grants for eligible first-time homebuyers, delivered exclusively through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions (FHLB Dallas does not fund consumers directly). For properties in Arkansas the grant is up to $20,000 per household. Homebuyers must be at or below 80% AMI, complete homebuyer counseling, contribute at least $500 of their own funds, and retain the home as their primary residence for five years. Up to $20,000 grant for AR homebuyers. No repayment if 5-year retention met. Applies to down payment and closing costs. No cash back at closing. Funding comes from FHLB Dallas Affordable Housing Program funds.
How much assistance does it provide?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) offers up to $20,000 in assistance. Award tiers: Properties in AR/LA/MS or outside the District: $20,000; New Mexico or Texas: $25,000. Homebuyer contribution: Homebuyer must contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward down payment or closing costs. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or failure to occupy as primary residence during the 5-year retention period (AHP retention/recapture rules). The assistance is recorded in Secured by a 5-year homeowner retention agreement (AHP retention document) position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) 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 Must complete a homebuyer counseling program. Funds accessed only through an FHLB Dallas member institution; first mortgage must be originated by the member, a wholly-owned subsidiary, or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Member cap $150,000 per offering. No cash back at closing. Final 2026 offering Sept 8, 2026.
What are the income limits?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) as defined by HUD. 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.
Where does it apply?
FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Arkansas.
How do you apply?
Applications for FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) go through Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served through FHLB Dallas member institutions; 2026 released in five rounds until funds exhausted or Dec 31, 2026. 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 Arkansas homebuyersOther programs open to Arkansas homebuyers
- Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders for Everyone Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $12,000
- Arkansas Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI)Up to $10,000
- ADFA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) ProgramUp to $2,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 71 programs for ArkansasProgram terms are set by Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.