FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant

What is FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Idaho, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (through participating member institutions).

• Home$tart is a down payment and closing cost assistance grant offered through FHLB Des Moines member institutions for qualifying first-time homebuyers in the FHLB Des Moines district, which includes Idaho. The grant provides $15,000 per household toward down payment, closing costs, and up to $250 of homebuyer education for households at or below 80% AMI. Grant funds are secured by a 5-year deed restriction and forgiven pro rata over 60 months. Funds are reserved by participating members first-come, first-served and replenished quarterly in 2026.
• Up to $15,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs.
• No repayment if retained 5 years (forgiven pro rata).
• May be layered with other DPA in any lien position.
• Covers up to $250 of homebuyer education.
• Funding comes from FHLB Des Moines Affordable Housing Program (10% of net income set-aside).

How much assistance does it provide?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to $15,000 in assistance.

• The program can be combined with May be layered with other down payment products and may be in any recording position.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (through participating member institutions) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

• Repayment is triggered by Sale of the home within the 5-year retention period (pro-rata repayment of the unforgiven portion).
• The assistance is recorded in Secured by a 5-year self-extinguishing deed restriction/retention agreement; may be in any recording position position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income at or below 80% of area median income (by household size and state/county) per HUD or NAHASDA income limits; calculated as of reservation date including all current and intended household members.
• 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?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant caps the purchase price as follows: In-district purchase price limits apply; see FHLB Des Moines Income and Purchase Price Limits page.

• Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, 2-4 Unit, and Manufactured.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant serves buyers purchasing in Statewide, Idaho.

How do you apply?

Applications for FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Assistance Grant go through Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (through participating member institutions), 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 Any qualifying homebuyer education course completed prior to closing (counseling/education costs reimbursable up to $250).

2. 2

   Contact Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (through participating member institutions) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Reservations submitted by participating members via DP Online (eAdvantage) prior to closing; first-come, first-served until pool or member cap exhausted, 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.