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Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance

Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC) / Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (GMAHA) · Rock Island County, Illinois

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$35,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven once the program's conditions are met

What is Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Rock Island County, Illinois, administered by Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC) / Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (GMAHA).

  • Up to $35,000 in forgivable grant funds.
  • One year of pre-purchase counseling included.
  • County-wide coverage across Rock Island County.
  • IHDA State Donation Tax Credit funded.

How much assistance does it provide?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance offers up to $35,000 in assistance.

  • The program can be combined with IHDA programs; Live-Work Rock Island.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC) / Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (GMAHA) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met.

  • 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?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance 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
  • On credit: Must be able to obtain a mortgage with a lending institution after one year of pre-purchase counseling
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through GMAHA (one year of pre-purchase counseling and financial literacy coaching required)
  • Residency: Purchase in Rock Island County
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. Requires one full year of pre-purchase counseling and financial literacy coaching before closing. Offered in phases of ~25 families. Check with GMAHA/RICHFC for current phase availability. Contact gmaharic.org for application. Income limits not publicly specified — contact provider directly. [orig: assistance_amount: Up to $35,000; dpa_interest_rate: 0%]

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes

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?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance sets its income limit as follows: Low- to moderate-income families in Rock Island County; specific limits not published; contact GMAHA for current parameters.

  • 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?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price as follows: Single-family primary residence in Rock Island County.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Rock Island County, Illinois.

How do you apply?

Applications for Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance go through Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC) / Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (GMAHA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through GMAHA (one year of pre-purchase counseling and financial literacy coaching required).

  2. Contact Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC) / Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (GMAHA) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through 25 area families per phase; first-come, first-served, 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.

Learn this program

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Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance, explained

A short, free course on Rock Island County I-HOPE Down Payment Assistance: what it is, who it is for, how it is forgiven, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

5 modules · About 10 minutes

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