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FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Illinois, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members).

Last verified Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members)

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No DPP-stated minimum; nonprofit lender applies own underwriting standards
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Pre-purchase education: HUD-approved counseling agency OR Framework, eHome America, Fannie Mae HomeView, Freddie Mac CreditSmart. Pre-purchase counseling: HUD-approved counseling agency. Both required; certificates required for at least one borrower.
  • Residency: Property must be primary residence; in any state where member does business
  • Nonprofit must originate AND fund first mortgage. Partnering FHLBank Chicago member submits reservation in eBanking. Nonprofit is not a FHLBank Chicago shareholder member. Both homebuyer education and HUD-approved counseling required. Annual certification required for members with active retention agreements.
  • A home in Illinois

It doesn’t cover

  • 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.

Income limit

80% of the area median income where the home is

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.

Where it applies

Illinois’s homes

  • 58.2% single-family
  • 6.1% townhouse
  • 11.6% 2–4 units
  • 21.8% 5+ units
  • 2.3% mobile & other

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

$263,300

Illinois median home value

63.5%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Pre-purchase education: HUD-approved counseling agency OR Framework, eHome America, Fannie Mae HomeView, Freddie Mac CreditSmart. Pre-purchase counseling: HUD-approved counseling agency. Both required; certificates required for at least one borrower..

  2. Contact Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; FHLBank Chicago member submits reservation in eBanking on behalf of nonprofit partner, 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 FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Illinois, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members). Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) is the companion program to DPP, designed specifically for nonprofit organizations that originate and fund first mortgages directly to homebuyers (such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates). The nonprofit must partner with a FHLBank Chicago member institution to access funds. Grants up to $10,000 (or 25% of first mortgage) forgiven over 5 years. Unlike DPP, no minimum borrower contribution is required. Up to $10,000 forgivable grant. No borrower contribution required. Designed for Habitat for Humanity and similar nonprofits. Stackable with other assistance. 5-year pro-rata forgiveness. Funding comes from Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago AHP set-aside funds.

How much assistance does it provide?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program offers up to $10,000 in assistance. Award tiers: None; single tier. Homebuyer contribution: No minimum borrower contribution required for DPP Advantage (unlike DPP which requires $1,000). DPP Advantage is specifically for nonprofit-originated first mortgages such as Habitat for Humanity. The program can be combined with Federal, state, and local programs; CDBG; HOME; IHDA programs; can layer with nonprofit lender's own subsidy. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Sale or refinance before end of 5-year retention period unless buyer is also <=80% AMI; forgiven pro-rata monthly over 60 months; no repayment if amount due is $2,500 or less. The assistance is recorded in Second lien (retention agreement recorded on property in member name) position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: No DPP-stated minimum; nonprofit lender applies own underwriting standards. A homebuyer education course is required, through Pre-purchase education: HUD-approved counseling agency OR Framework, eHome America, Fannie Mae HomeView, Freddie Mac CreditSmart. Pre-purchase counseling: HUD-approved counseling agency. Both required; certificates required for at least one borrower. Residency requirement: Property must be primary residence; in any state where member does business. Nonprofit must originate AND fund first mortgage. Partnering FHLBank Chicago member submits reservation in eBanking. Nonprofit is not a FHLBank Chicago shareholder member. Both homebuyer education and HUD-approved counseling required. Annual certification required for members with active retention agreements.

What are the income limits?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program caps the purchase price as follows: No stated limit; sales price may not exceed appraised value for related-party transactions. Eligible property types include single-family, two-unit, condominium, and manufactured home (titled as real estate). New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Illinois.

How do you apply?

Applications for FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Advantage (DPP Advantage) Program go through Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; FHLBank Chicago member submits reservation in eBanking on behalf of nonprofit partner. 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.

Also for Illinois homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 69 programs for Illinois

Program terms are set by Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (administered via nonprofit mortgage lenders partnering with FHLBank Chicago members) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.