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Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Ingham County, Michigan, administered by Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership).

Last verified Source: Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • Home must be located in Ingham County. Income-eligible buyers must earn less than 80% AMI (e.g., up to $56,480/year for a single-person household per the program page). First-come, first-served with priority for first-generation homebuyers.
  • A home in Ingham County

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Ingham County

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Ingham County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$102,600
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Ingham County’s homes

  • 60.5% single-family
  • 4.7% townhouse
  • 6% 2–4 units
  • 26.1% 5+ units
  • 2.6% mobile & other

$198,800

Ingham County median home value

64.9%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Ingham County

How to apply

  1. Contact Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Ingham County, Michigan, administered by Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership). Ingham County program (currently accepting applications) offering up to $30,000 as a zero-interest second-mortgage loan with no monthly payments to cover down payment and other costs of purchasing a home in Ingham County. Loans are 100% forgivable with no repayment required after seven years. Administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership. Up to $30,000 as a zero-interest, fully forgivable second-mortgage loan for down payment and purchase costs.

How much assistance does it provide?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $30,000 in assistance. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 7 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Zero-interest second mortgage with no monthly payments; 100% forgivable after seven years with no repayment required thereafter. 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?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. Home must be located in Ingham County. Income-eligible buyers must earn less than 80% AMI (e.g., up to $56,480/year for a single-person household per the program page). First-come, first-served with priority for first-generation homebuyers.

What are the income limits?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income less than 80% of Area Median Income (e.g., up to $56,480/year for a single individual in Ingham County). Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program names first-generation homebuyers among the groups it serves. 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?

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Ingham County, Michigan. The program gives priority to designated target areas, so the address matters as well as the county.

How do you apply?

Applications for Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program go through Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by Ingham County (administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.