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Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale (CAAJLH) · Jackson, Michigan

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What is Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program?

Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Jackson, Michigan, administered by Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale (CAAJLH).

  • CAAJLH operates an Individual Development Account (IDA) matched-savings program that can be used for a down payment on a home (as well as starting/expanding a business or post-secondary education). As a HUD- and MSHDA-approved housing counseling agency, CAAJLH pairs the IDA with homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling. The agency serves Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties.
  • Matched savings toward a home down payment.
  • Paired with homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling.
  • Serves three counties.
  • HUD/MSHDA-approved counseling agency.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from State/federal IDA matched-savings funds administered by CAAJLH.

Do you have to pay it back?

Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale (CAAJLH).

  • Repayment is triggered by None; matched savings applied to qualified asset purchase (home purchase).
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through CAAJLH (HUD- and MSHDA-approved housing counseling agency); eHomeAmerica online homebuyer education
  • Residency: Residents of Jackson, Lenawee, or Hillsdale Counties
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. Specific match ratio, maximum match, and savings term are NOT published on CAAJLH's own site (typical Michigan homeownership IDAs match $3:$1 up to roughly $4,500 over three years - UNCONFIRMED). Homebuyer Assistance line: Jackson ext. 1280; Lenawee/Hillsdale ext. 2229. Toll-free (800) 491-0004. Verify current enrollment/funding directly with the agency before relying on match terms.

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?

Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program sets its income limit as follows: Household income generally at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (typical Michigan IDA threshold); set by program.

  • 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.

Where does it apply?

Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for Community Action Agency (Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale) Individual Development Account (IDA) Program go through Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale (CAAJLH), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through CAAJLH (HUD- and MSHDA-approved housing counseling agency); eHomeAmerica online homebuyer education.

  2. Contact Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale (CAAJLH) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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.

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