Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program is a repayable second loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Hawaii.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Mid-FICO of 700 minimum
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) - approximately 9 hours of homebuyer education (live or online) plus one coaching session required
- Residency: Property must be located in the State of Hawaii and used as borrower's primary residence; yearly occupancy affidavit required
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident (per first-mortgage product overlays)
- First-time homebuyer (no ownership of primary residence in past 3 years). Mid-FICO of at least 700 required. Must complete HHOC homebuyer education (~9 hours) and a coaching session with the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. HHOC Mortgage must originate a 3%-minimum-down first mortgage. Property must be primary residence; yearly occupancy affidavit required. If borrower puts no more than 5% down, purchase price cannot exceed $500,000.
- A home in Hawaii
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Households above 130% 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
130% 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
Hawaii’s homesHawaii’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 53.5% single-familysingle-family
- 9.1% townhousetownhouse
- 6.4% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 30.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.4% 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.
$839,100
Hawaii median home value
50.5%
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 Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) - approximately 9 hours of homebuyer education (live or online) plus one coaching session required.
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Funds reserved by HHOC Mortgage Loan Officer once borrower enters into a purchase contract. Funds may be limited; borrowers should communicate with HHOC Mortgage Loan Officer before submitting an offer., 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 Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program is a repayable second loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Hawaii. The DPAL Program from HHOC Mortgage provides an affordable alternative to private mortgage insurance for first-time homebuyers in Hawaii. It is a 30-year amortizing second mortgage of up to $125,000 paired with a 3%-minimum-down first mortgage originated by HHOC Mortgage. The DPAL second-mortgage rate is set at 4.5% or matches the first mortgage rate, whichever is lower. No PMI required. Open to households up to 130% AMI; minimum mid-FICO 700. Affordable alternative to private mortgage insurance: amortizing 30-year second mortgage of up to $125,000 paired with a 3% minimum down payment first mortgage from HHOC Mortgage. Interest rate is set at 4.5% or matches the first mortgage rate (whichever is lower). No mortgage insurance required. No prepayment penalty. Designed to help low- and moderate-income borrowers (up to 130% AMI) qualify for a home with only 3% down. Funding comes from Nonprofit, Foundation, and Private.
How much assistance does it provide?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program offers up to $125,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum 3% down payment from borrower. 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?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program is a repayable second loan and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency. Repayment is triggered by Monthly amortizing payments over 30 years and due at sale, payoff, refinance, or non-occupancy. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program 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. On credit, the program states: Mid-FICO of 700 minimum. A homebuyer education course is required, through Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) - approximately 9 hours of homebuyer education (live or online) plus one coaching session required. Residency requirement: Property must be located in the State of Hawaii and used as borrower's primary residence; yearly occupancy affidavit required. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident (per first-mortgage product overlays). First-time homebuyer (no ownership of primary residence in past 3 years). Mid-FICO of at least 700 required. Must complete HHOC homebuyer education (~9 hours) and a coaching session with the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. HHOC Mortgage must originate a 3%-minimum-down first mortgage. Property must be primary residence; yearly occupancy affidavit required. If borrower puts no more than 5% down, purchase price cannot exceed $500,000.
What are the income limits?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program limits household income to 130% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income up to 130% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for the county where the property is located. 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?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program caps the purchase price as follows: If borrower puts no more than 5% down, the home must not exceed program maximum of $500,000. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium, townhouse - principal residence only. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Hawaii.
How do you apply?
Applications for Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Funds reserved by HHOC Mortgage Loan Officer once borrower enters into a purchase contract. Funds may be limited; borrowers should communicate with HHOC Mortgage Loan Officer before submitting an offer. 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 Hawaii homebuyersOther programs open to Hawaii homebuyers
- Mortgage Booster ProgramUp to $50,000
- Deferred Closing Costs Assistance LoanUp to $10,000
- Hale Kamaaina Mortgage Program - Down Payment Assistance (Second Mortgage Loan)Deferred
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 70 programs for HawaiiProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.