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Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity · Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, administered by Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.

  • Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity offers a hand-up to families in need of safe, decent and affordable housing across Linn and Benton Counties in Eastern Iowa. Homes are kept affordable through volunteer labor and affordable (no/low-cost) mortgages, allowing the affiliate to serve first-time homeowners who would not typically qualify for conventional financing. Qualified applicants become full partners in building or rehabilitating their future homes alongside Habitat sponsors and volunteers.
  • Affordable Habitat mortgage with no conventional financing required.
  • Sweat-equity partnership home build/rehab.
  • Homebuyer education classes (budgeting, home maintenance).

Do you have to pay it back?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.

  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Buyers must be credit-worthy and not have any outstanding judgments; no numeric minimum credit score published
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (classes on managing a monthly budget through maintaining a new home; mandatory homeowner information session)
  • Residency: Income guidelines and service area limited to Linn and Benton Counties, Iowa
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-13): staged from primary sources (cvhabitat.org); verify before publishing. Despite the affiliate name, it serves Linn and Benton Counties (Cedar Rapids), not Black Hawk County; distinct from the City of Cedar Rapids program. Mortgage rate/lien/forgiveness terms not published; left blank.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • 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?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must fall within 30% (minimum) to 80% (maximum) of Area Median Income, by family size, separately for Linn and Benton Counties. 2025-26 Linn County: 1=$21,350-$56,950; 2=$24,400-$65,050; 3=$27,450-$73,200; 4=$32,150-$81,300; 5=$37,650-$87,850; 6=$43,150-$94,350; 7=$48,650-$100,850; 8=$54,150-$107,350. 2025-26 Benton County: 1=$23,300-$62,100; 2=$26,600-$70,950; 3=$29,950-$79,800; 4=$33,250-$88,650; 5=$37,650-$95,750; 6=$43,150-$102,850; 7=$48,650-$109,950; 8=$54,150-$117,050.
  • 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?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

How do you apply?

Applications for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program go through Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (classes on managing a monthly budget through maintaining a new home; mandatory homeowner information session).

  2. Contact Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity 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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