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Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA)

Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA) · Middleton, Idaho

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What is Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA)?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Middleton, Idaho, administered by Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA).

  • SICHA's Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (HCVHO) lets qualifying Section 8 rental-assistance families in Canyon, Gem, or Elmore County apply their voucher toward a monthly mortgage payment instead of rent. Administered locally by SICHA with HUD funds under 24 CFR 982.625.
  • Monthly mortgage subsidy in place of rent subsidy.
  • Available to existing Section 8 participants.
  • Homeownership coordinator support.
  • Settlement costs may be covered by non-profit grant funds.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher funds (24 CFR 982.625).

Do you have to pay it back?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA).

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

Who qualifies?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Must be a current Section 8 HCV participant in good standing for at least one year, receiving rental assistance in Canyon, Gem, or Elmore County.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-13): pending review. HCV participant in good standing for >=1 year. Minimum income: disabled/elderly = annual SSI x 12; others = federal minimum wage x 2,000 hrs. Non-disabled/non-elderly families must have one adult homebuyer employed full-time (>=30 hrs/wk avg) for >=1 year. Lender pre-approval letter required; must sign Statement of Homeowner Obligations and complete homebuyer education before the purchase agreement. UNCONFIRMED (per HUD HCV formula / not posted): subsidy amount, term of assistance, min credit score, max DTI, max purchase price, income limit table, HUD AMI year, participating lenders.

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 kind of home can it be used for?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) can be used for Single Family, Townhouse, and Condo.

  • New construction is eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) names buyers with disabilities 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?

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Idaho.

How do you apply?

Applications for Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option (SICHA) go through Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA) 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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