Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance

What is Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Dubuque, Iowa, administered by Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation (EIRHC) Housing Trust Fund, administered by East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) / Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA).

• The Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation (EIRHC) Housing Trust Fund, administered by ECIA/EIRHA, provides down payment assistance to help low- and moderate-income households purchase a primary residence in the five-county region: Dubuque (excluding the city of Dubuque), Delaware, Jackson, Cedar, and Clinton counties. Assistance is capped at $10,000 per household, provided as a grant structured as a 5-year forgivable award (no interest). A $200 housing counseling fee is deducted from the award and the recipient must complete an EIRHA HUD-certified Housing Counseling course. The buyer must obtain a fully amortized first mortgage from a regulated lender with a rate fixed for at least 5 years and a term of at least 15 years. Households must have income at or below 80% of area median income.
• Up to $10,000 in down payment assistance per household.
• 5-year forgivable grant with no interest.
• HUD-certified homeownership/housing counseling provided.
• This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
• Funding comes from Iowa Finance Authority State Housing Trust Fund (Iowa Code 16.181); HUD HOME funds via IFA.

How much assistance does it provide?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance offers up to $10,000 in assistance.

• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation (EIRHC) Housing Trust Fund, administered by East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) / Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

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

Who qualifies?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Adjusted annual household income at or below 80% of area median income (county-specific). 2025 limits effective 4/1/2025, 80% of median by household size 1-8: Cedar 58,450/66,800/75,150/83,500/90,200/96,900/103,550/110,250; Clinton 52,150/59,600/67,050/74,500/80,500/86,450/92,400/98,350; Dubuque 57,550/65,750/73,950/82,150/88,750/95,300/101,900/108,450; Delaware 54,250/62,000/69,750/77,500/83,700/89,900/96,100/102,300; Jackson 53,300/60,900/68,500/76,100/82,200/88,300/94,400/100,500. At least 30% of state HTF funds must benefit households at or below 30% AMI.
• 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?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance is a federal program, so it is not limited to Iowa.

How do you apply?

Applications for Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment Assistance go through Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation (EIRHC) Housing Trust Fund, administered by East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) / Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) HUD-certified Housing Counseling Program.

2. 2

   Contact Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation (EIRHC) Housing Trust Fund, administered by East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) / Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

3. 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.