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Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP)

Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homeownership Center, using City of Fort Smith HOME funds · Fort Smith, Arkansas

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$40,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Price cap

$160,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP)?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Fort Smith, Arkansas, administered by Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homeownership Center, using City of Fort Smith HOME funds.

  • FSHAP is administered by the Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center using City of Fort Smith HUD HOME funds to help low- and moderate-income first-time and repeat homebuyers with down payment, closing costs, and principal reduction (purchase-price subsidy) for homes within the Fort Smith city limits. Secured by a deed restriction with an affordability period.
  • Up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs; separately, up to $40,000 to subsidize the purchase price (gap/subsidy). Subsidy may not exceed the amount needed to make the home affordable.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from City of Fort Smith HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds.

How much assistance does it provide?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) offers up to $40,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homeownership Center, using City of Fort Smith HOME funds determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by If the borrower sells before the end of the affordability period, a portion of the assistance must be repaid to the City of Fort Smith.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homebuyer Education.
  • Residency: Property must be within the corporate limits of the City of Fort Smith.
  • FUNDING CAVEAT: As of the C-SCDC page a note states prior-year funds were exhausted and to check back in 2026; confirm current funding availability with C-SCDC before relying on this program. Available only for homes within the City of Fort Smith. Existing-home purchase price cannot exceed $160,000; new-construction cannot exceed $195,000. Each property must pass an environmental review and Minimum Housing Standards inspection; pre-1978 homes inspected for lead. Buyer must receive HUD-certified housing counseling, complete the C-SCDC Homebuyer Education course, and be certified income-eligible by C-SCDC.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $160,000 price cap

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

What are the income limits?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) sets its income limit as follows: Low- and moderate-income; income eligibility certified by C-SCDC using the HUD Income Calculator.

  • 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?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) caps the purchase price at $160,000.

Where does it apply?

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Arkansas.

How do you apply?

Applications for Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program (FSHAP) go through Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homeownership Center, using City of Fort Smith HOME funds, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homebuyer Education..

  2. Contact Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) Homeownership Center, using City of Fort Smith HOME funds to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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