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Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Lake County (all municipalities), Illinois, administered by Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH).

Last verified Source: Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Displaced homemakers and single parents who previously only owned a home with a former spouse are eligible
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Must qualify with a CPAH participating lender; no published minimum score
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through CPAH in-person homebuyer education class and individual counseling required
  • Residency: Property must be located in Lake County, Illinois
  • Must use a CPAH participating lender. Full DAP Buyer Guidelines available at program URL (English and Spanish). Must not own other residential real estate. Home inspection required.
  • A home in Lake County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $304,950 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Lake County

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Lake County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$121,500
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Lake County’s homes

  • 66.6% single-family
  • 10.3% townhouse
  • 5.8% 2–4 units
  • 15.6% 5+ units
  • 1.7% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$345,700

Lake County median home value

46.3%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Lake County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through CPAH in-person homebuyer education class and individual counseling required.

  2. Contact Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; contact CPAH to begin intake, 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Lake County (all municipalities), Illinois, administered by Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH). Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) offers eligible Lake County first-time homebuyers up to $13,999 toward down payment, closing costs, or interest rate buydown in the form of a 0% interest forgivable loan. The loan is forgiven at 1/60th per month, fully extinguishing after 5 years of owner-occupancy. Buyers must not exceed 80% AMI, must purchase a 1-unit single-family home valued up to $304,950, contribute at least $1,000 or 1% down, and complete CPAH's in-person homebuyer education and individual counseling. Up to $13,999 in down payment/closing cost/rate buydown assistance. 0% interest, no monthly payment. 5-year prorated forgiveness. Covers all Lake County municipalities. CPAH education and counseling included.

How much assistance does it provide?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $13,999 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Buyer must contribute $1,000 or 1% of purchase price, whichever is greater. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer of title, or cessation of primary residence within 5 years; forgiven 1/60th per month. The assistance is recorded in second position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Displaced homemakers and single parents who previously only owned a home with a former spouse are eligible. On credit, the program states: Must qualify with a CPAH participating lender; no published minimum score. A homebuyer education course is required, through CPAH in-person homebuyer education class and individual counseling required. Residency requirement: Property must be located in Lake County, Illinois. Must use a CPAH participating lender. Full DAP Buyer Guidelines available at program URL (English and Spanish). Must not own other residential real estate. Home inspection required.

What are the income limits?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income cannot exceed 80% of Chicago-Naperville-Joliet HUD Metro Area AMI, adjusted for household size. 2024 4-person 80% AMI = $89,700 (Chicago MSA). 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?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $304,950. Eligible property types include Single Family. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Lake County (all municipalities), Illinois.

How do you apply?

Applications for Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program go through Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; contact CPAH to begin intake. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.