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SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing)

Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Inc. (SEICAA) · Pocatello, Idaho

Last verified
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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing)?

SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Pocatello, Idaho, administered by Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Inc. (SEICAA).

  • SEICAA's Self-Help Housing program lets eligible first-time homebuyers build their own homes under a construction supervisor, contributing 50-100 hours of sweat equity that serves as the down payment. Participants may also qualify for additional subsidies, down-payment assistance and gap financing. Over 90 SE Idaho families have achieved homeownership through the program since 2004.
  • Sweat equity (50-100 hours) counts as the down payment.
  • May qualify for additional subsidies, DPA and gap financing.
  • Build-your-own-home model with construction supervision.
  • Homebuyer education included.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from Federal/state housing development funds administered by SEICAA (USDA Rural Development Section 523 Mutual Self-Help model; additional subsidies, DPA and gap financing).

Do you have to pay it back?

SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Inc. (SEICAA).

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

Who qualifies?

SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) 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
  • A minimum 640 credit score
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Online Homebuyer Education class (required).
  • Residency: Serves Southeastern Idaho, focus in Bannock, Oneida, Franklin and Caribou Counties.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-13): pending review. Participants provide 50-100 hours of labor (sweat equity) as the down payment. Income at/below 80% AMI; reasonable credit (no bankruptcy in 36 months, nothing in collections, score >=640); able to contract; adequate dependable income; complete online homebuyer education. Always accepting applications (waitlist). UNCONFIRMED (mentioned but not quantified): DPA / gap-financing dollar amounts and grant-vs-loan structure, forgiveness/repayment/lien terms, max DTI, max purchase price, income limits for Oneida/Franklin/Caribou, provider email.

The program excludes

  • 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?

SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • At or below 80% of Area Median Income. 2022 Bannock County limits (current builds are in Bannock County): 1p $40,850; 2p $46,650; 3p $52,500; 4p $58,300; 5p $63,000; 6p $67,650. Limits for Oneida/Franklin/Caribou not posted.
  • 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.

Where does it apply?

SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Idaho.

How do you apply?

Applications for SEICAA Self-Help Housing (with Down Payment Assistance & Gap Financing) go through Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Inc. (SEICAA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Online Homebuyer Education class (required)..

  2. Contact Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Inc. (SEICAA) 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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