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St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member 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

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Savannah, Georgia.

  • The St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance Program is a 0% interest, 5-year forgivable second-lien loan of $7,500 administered by the City of Savannah Housing & Neighborhood Services Department in partnership with St. Joseph's/Candler health system. Restricted to SJ/C team members at or below Team Leader level, in good standing, who are first-time homebuyers purchasing within Savannah city limits. The loan is forgiven if the buyer remains an SJ/C employee and an owner-occupant for 5 years. Stackable with DreamMaker funds. Property must pass private inspection and City Construction Specialist inspection.
  • $7,500, 0% interest, forgivable loan toward down payment and closing costs. Loan is forgiven and not repaid if the buyer continues to work for the employer (St. Joseph's/Candler health system) and continues to be the owner-occupant of the house for 5 years from the date of the loan.
  • Funding comes from St. Joseph's/Candler health system employer-paid benefit administered through City of Savannah HNSD.

How much assistance does it provide?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance offers up to $7,500 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: No published minimum buyer contribution; combination with DreamMaker may impose $1,000.
  • 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?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Within the 5-year affordability period: cessation of St. Joseph's/Candler employment, sale or transfer of title, refinance with cash-out, or failure to occupy as primary residence triggers repayment of the unforgiven balance. Loan is fully forgiven on the 5th anniversary if the buyer remains an SJ/C team member and the owner-occupant.
  • 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?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member 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 required (consistent with DreamMaker family of programs).
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published minimum FICO; lender underwriting required (St. Joseph's/Candler team-member benefit).
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved homeownership/homebuyer education course required (City of Savannah HUD-approved counseling agency network).
  • Residency: Property must be located within City of Savannah city limits.
  • RESTRICTED EMPLOYER: only St. Joseph's/Candler health-system team members (employees) may apply. Buyer must be at or below Team Leader level and in good standing without recent disciplinary actions at time of purchase. Household income restrictions apply. Property must be located within City of Savannah city limits and cannot be occupied at time of application unless occupant is buyer or seller. Pre-1978 homes cannot have defective paint at inspection. Private inspection required; City of Savannah Construction Specialist inspection required prior to issuance of funding commitment letter; required repairs must be completed by seller and confirmed by City staff before commitment letter issued. Assistance can be used in combination with DreamMaker assistance if buyer is also DreamMaker-eligible.

The program excludes

  • 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?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income restrictions apply per City of Savannah HOME-program standards (80% AMI for Savannah MSA, FY2025): 1p $55,800; 2p $63,800; 3p $71,750; 4p $79,700; 5p $86,100; 6p $92,500; 7p $98,850; 8p $105,250.
  • 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?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance caps the purchase price as follows: Capped by HUD HOME Homeownership Value Limits for Chatham County / Savannah MSA when stacked with DreamMaker; approximately $255,000.

  • Eligible property types include New and existing single-family houses in good condition that comply with program requirements and property must be located within Savannah city limits.
  • New construction is eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance names healthcare workers among the groups it serves.

  • Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member Home Purchase Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Savannah, Georgia.

How do you apply?

Applications for St. Joseph's/Candler Team Member 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 homeownership/homebuyer education course required (City of Savannah HUD-approved counseling agency network)..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Team member contacts HNSD at (912) 651-2169 or employeedownpayment@savannahga.gov to schedule appointment, then completes application; ongoing year-round subject to fund 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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