See what you qualify for
City programSecond loan

KNHS Down Payment Assistance

KNHS Down Payment Assistance is a second mortgage for homebuyers in Kalamazoo, Michigan, administered by Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS).

Last verified Source: Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS)

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through KNHS Homebuyer Education (in-person at 1219 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, and on Zoom); eHome America; Framework Homeownership
  • Residency: Serves the Kalamazoo region
  • KNHS does not publish concrete assistance amounts, interest rate, forgiveness term, or repayment trigger on its public site; these are discretionary/funder-determined and rates are set monthly, so those fields are left null. Reporting from local coverage indicates most participants historically receive roughly $5,000-$7,500, but this is not stated on the official KNHS site and is therefore not recorded as a confirmed amount. Prospective buyers must contact KNHS directly. Income limit of 80% AMI is the general DPA threshold; some KNHS homeownership programs serve up to 120% AMI.
  • A home inside Kalamazoo city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Kalamazoo

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 Kalamazoo 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.

$108,100
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Kalamazoo’s homes

  • 50.5% single-family
  • 2.8% townhouse
  • 11% 2–4 units
  • 34.2% 5+ units
  • 1.5% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$179,000

Kalamazoo median home value

76%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through KNHS Homebuyer Education (in-person at 1219 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, and on Zoom); eHome America; Framework Homeownership.

  2. Contact Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Open enrollment; prospective buyers contact KNHS directly to determine eligibility, 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is KNHS Down Payment Assistance?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance is a second mortgage for homebuyers in Kalamazoo, Michigan, administered by Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS). KNHS, a NeighborWorks America and HUD-certified housing counseling agency serving the Kalamazoo region, offers down payment assistance to income-eligible buyers who are ready to purchase but need help with their down payment. Loan eligibility is determined by household income limits and funder/underwriting requirements, and rates are set monthly. Buyers also complete KNHS homebuyer education (in-person, Zoom, eHome America, or Framework). Down payment assistance loan paired with first mortgage. HUD-certified homebuyer education and counseling. Financial readiness coaching. Local nonprofit with regional focus. Funding comes from KNHS / NeighborWorks America; supported by City of Kalamazoo, MSHDA, LISC Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, United Way, Kalamazoo County Land Bank, Kalamazoo County Housing for All millage, and local banks/foundations.

Do you have to pay it back?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance is a second mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS). 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?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through KNHS Homebuyer Education (in-person at 1219 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, and on Zoom); eHome America; Framework Homeownership. Residency requirement: Serves the Kalamazoo region. KNHS does not publish concrete assistance amounts, interest rate, forgiveness term, or repayment trigger on its public site; these are discretionary/funder-determined and rates are set monthly, so those fields are left null. Reporting from local coverage indicates most participants historically receive roughly $5,000-$7,500, but this is not stated on the official KNHS site and is therefore not recorded as a confirmed amount. Prospective buyers must contact KNHS directly. Income limit of 80% AMI is the general DPA threshold; some KNHS homeownership programs serve up to 120% AMI.

What are the income limits?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Down payment assistance program generally serves households at or below 80% of area median income; eligibility determined by household income limits and funder/underwriting requirements. (KNHS also operates programs serving up to 120% AMI.). 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?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

KNHS Down Payment Assistance serves homebuyers purchasing in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The program targets specific areas: Kalamazoo region; focus neighborhoods include Vine, Edison, Northside, Eastside, and West Douglas. Targeted neighborhoods: Vine, Edison, Northside, Eastside, West Douglas.

How do you apply?

Applications for KNHS Down Payment Assistance go through Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Open enrollment; prospective buyers contact KNHS directly to determine eligibility. 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 Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.