BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance)

What is BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance)?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Battle Creek, Michigan, administered by City of Battle Creek Community Development Division.

• A City of Battle Creek program, funded by a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant, that provides down payment / closing cost assistance (or mortgage buy-down) to full-time Battle Creek Public Schools teachers and administrators who purchase a home in targeted neighborhoods within the BCPS district. Assistance is up to $20,000 in the primary target area or up to $10,000 in the secondary target area, not to exceed 20% of appraised value. It is structured as a no-interest, no-payment second-mortgage loan forgiven after a 3-year retention period contingent on continued BCPS employment and owner-occupancy.
• Up to $20,000 down payment/closing cost assistance (primary area).
• Up to $10,000 (secondary area).
• 0% interest, no monthly payment.
• Forgivable after 3 years.
• Unused funds may be applied to mortgage buy-down.
• Free 8-hour homebuyer education provided.
• Funding comes from W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) grant administered by the City of Battle Creek.

How much assistance does it provide?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

• Award tiers: Primary target area (within Battle Creek city limits AND BCPS catchment): up to $20,000. Secondary target area (BCPS district outside primary area): up to $10,000. Both capped at 20% of appraised home value.
• The program can be combined with Funds may be paired across benefits (rental then purchase). DPA can be applied as down payment/closing cost assistance or, if not fully needed, as a mortgage buy-down.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Battle Creek Community Development Division determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) is forgiven after 3 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Full amount due and payable if, during the 3-year retention period, the property ceases to be the owner's principal residence OR the owner ceases to be employed by Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS).
• 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?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) sets its income limit as follows: No income limit. Eligibility is employment-based (must be a full-time BCPS teacher or administrator); program is funded by a private foundation grant rather than HUD/HOME income-restricted funds.

• 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?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) caps the purchase price as follows: No stated maximum purchase price; assistance capped at the lesser of the tier maximum ($20,000 / $10,000) or 20% of appraised home value.

• Eligible property types include Single Family, 2-4 Unit, Condo, and Manufactured.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) names educators among the groups it serves.

• The program is also limited to employees of Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) - full-time teachers and administrators.
• Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) serves buyers purchasing in Battle Creek, Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for BCPS Housing Incentive Program (Down Payment Assistance) go through City of Battle Creek Community Development Division, 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 City-arranged accredited homebuyer education agency providing an 8-hour course (free to the buyer)..

2. 2

   Contact City of Battle Creek Community Development Division to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served, contingent on availability of program funds; applications distributed primarily through BCPS to teachers and administrators., 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.