Homebuyer Assistance Program

What is Homebuyer Assistance Program?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in St. Clair County, Illinois.

• The St. Clair County Homebuyer Assistance Program, administered by the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department (Community Development Group), provides down payment and closing-cost assistance to income-eligible homebuyers purchasing a primary residence within St. Clair County, IL outside the City of East St. Louis. Funded through CDBG and HUD HOME, the assistance is structured as a forgivable second-mortgage loan with a HUD HOME affordability period. Detailed program PDF / guidelines are not published online; applicants should contact the county directly for current 2026 specifications.
• Down payment and closing-cost assistance (approximately $4,000 per published third-party listings) for income-eligible homebuyers purchasing a primary residence within St. Clair County, IL outside the City of East St. Louis (which has its own program). Funded through CDBG/HOME and structured as a forgivable second-mortgage loan with a multi-year affordability period.
• Funding comes from Federal HOME, Federal CDBG, and Local Government.

Do you have to pay it back?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Forgivable second-mortgage with HUD HOME affordability period (typically 5 years for assistance under $15,000) and pro-rata recapture of unforgiven balance on sale, transfer, cash-out refinance, or loss of owner-occupancy during affordability period.
• The assistance is recorded in 2 position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Homebuyer Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income expected at or below 80% HUD AMI for the St. Louis, MO-IL HMFA (St. Clair County portion); contact county directly for current 2026 income table.
• 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?

Homebuyer Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: No published St. Clair County-specific maximum purchase price; contact county for current guidelines.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhome, and Condominium.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Homebuyer Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in St. Clair County, Illinois.

How do you apply?

Applications for Homebuyer Assistance Program go through the administering agency, 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 HUD-approved housing counseling agency; pre-purchase homebuyer education recommended..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Buyer/lender contacts St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department (Community Development Group) for application package; awarded first-come, first-served subject to availability., 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.