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Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home)

Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (Discover Southwest Michigan program) · St. Joseph, Michigan

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$5,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home)?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) is a grant for homebuyers in St. Joseph, Michigan, administered by Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (Discover Southwest Michigan program).

  • Discover Southwest Michigan is a talent-attraction and relocation program run by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and selected for the State of Michigan's MEDC 'Make MI Home' pilot. Through the program, qualifying participants who relocate to Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County and accept an on-site job in the region can receive $5,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers, along with relocation support and free tuition at Lake Michigan College. Applications are open via the Discover Southwest Michigan / Make My Move platform.
  • $5,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers.
  • Free tuition at Lake Michigan College.
  • Relocation support (school enrollment, trailing-spouse help).
  • Complimentary community tour.
  • Funding comes from State of Michigan via MEDC Michigan Growth Office 'Make MI Home' pilot program; partners include Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, Berrien Community Foundation, Lake Michigan College, Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors, Southwest Michigan First, and local employers.

How much assistance does it provide?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) offers up to $5,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (Discover Southwest Michigan program) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) 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
  • Residency: Participant must relocate to and purchase a home in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County and accept an on-site (non-remote) job in one of the three counties
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. This is a relocation/talent-attraction incentive, not a standing open-to-all DPA: the $5,000 down payment assistance is available to first-time home buyers who relocate to Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County and take an on-site (non-remote) job in the region. Funded through a finite MEDC 'Make MI Home' state pilot allocation, so availability is subject to remaining funds. Detailed underwriting criteria (income limits, lien terms, forgiveness, education) are not published on primary sources and are left null. Verified active and accepting applications as of June 2026.

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 kind of home can it be used for?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) serves buyers purchasing in St. Joseph, Michigan.

  • The program targets specific areas: Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties, Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home) go through Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (Discover Southwest Michigan program), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Contact Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (Discover Southwest Michigan program) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application-based via the Discover Southwest Michigan / Make My Move platform; participant must accept an on-site job and relocate to the region, and are subject to availability.

  2. 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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