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DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance

Savannah, Georgia

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Assistance

$7,500

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$255,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Savannah, Georgia.

  • DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance is the City of Savannah's primary first-time-homebuyer DPA. Administered by the Housing & Neighborhood Services Department, it provides 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment second-mortgage loans for down payment, closing cost, and gap financing on a primary residence within Savannah city limits. Two assistance levels: up to $50,000 for housing developed in partnership with the City of Savannah (e.g., Savannah Gardens, City development partnerships) and up to $30,000 for other qualifying single-family housing in the City. Property must pass City Adopted Housing Code inspection. Buyer must complete homeownership counseling and contribute approximately $1,000 of own funds. Open to all qualifying first-time buyers (no employer restriction).
  • Affordable second-mortgage loan for down payment, closing cost, and gap financing assistance. Two conditions: (1) up to $50,000, 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan for housing developed in partnership with the City of Savannah.
  • (2) up to $30,000, 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan for all other housing within City of Savannah limits. Loan is repayable upon transfer of title (sale), refinance, or demise. No interest is charged while the loan is in good standing (deferred 30 years if buyer remains owner-occupant).
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program; CDBG; Federal (administered by City of Savannah HNSD).

How much assistance does it provide?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance offers up to $7,500 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Buyer generally needs to invest approximately $1,000 of own funds depending on program tier and lender requirements.
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Repayable upon sale (transfer of title), refinance, or demise of borrower. The loan is deferred for 30 years provided the purchaser resides in the property as their primary residence and the loan is not in default. No interest charged while loan is in good standing.
  • The assistance is recorded in 2 position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer requirement; standard HUD definition (no homeownership in prior 3 years) generally applies. HUD-defined displaced homemaker and single-parent exceptions follow HOME rules.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 640+ FICO (per program tracking).
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agency homeownership education course required (City of Savannah maintains a list of approved counseling agencies; CHSA is a primary partner).
  • Residency: Property must be located within City of Savannah city limits.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or qualified alien (HUD HOME requirement).
  • First-time-homebuyer requirement; buyers must qualify for first mortgage on competitive terms; must invest approximately $1,000 of own funds depending on program/lender. Property must be located within City of Savannah city limits, cannot be occupied at application unless occupant is buyer or seller, and must pass City of Savannah Adopted Housing Codes inspection by HNSD Construction Specialist before commitment letter is issued. Pre-1978 homes cannot have defective paint at inspection. Required seller repairs must be completed and confirmed prior to commitment letter. Buyer must take homeownership course. Buyer must occupy as primary residence; cannot rent the home.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $255,000 price cap
  • 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.

What are the income limits?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must be at or below 80% AMI for the Savannah, GA MSA / Chatham County (FY2025 HUD Section 8 limits, effective 6/1/2025): 1p $55,800; 2p $63,800; 3p $71,750; 4p $79,700; 5p $86,100; 6p $92,500; 7p $98,850; 8p $105,250. (Internal seed range $69,750-$131,565 reflected DCA Georgia Dream targeting and DreamMaker tier work-around; the binding HUD limit governs DreamMaker eligibility.).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • 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?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance caps the purchase price at $255,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family residential property (new or existing) in good condition that complies with program requirements and the City of Savannah's Adopted Housing Codes.
  • New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Savannah, Georgia.

  • The program targets specific areas: City-designated Target Neighborhoods receive enhanced DreamMaker 2 assistance ($7,500 deferred). Savannah Gardens area receives enhanced DreamMaker 3 assistance ($40,000-$60,000) for housing developed in partnership with the City.

How do you apply?

Applications for DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agency homeownership education course required (City of Savannah maintains a list of approved counseling agencies; CHSA is a primary partner)..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Buyer schedules appointment with HNSD or partner Community Housing Services Agency (CHSA) to determine basic eligibility. Lender or realtor coordinates with HNSD/CHSA. Funds reserved on first-come, first-served basis subject to availability., 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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