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NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA)

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Traverse City, Michigan, administered by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA).

Last verified Source: Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through NMCAA HUD-approved Homebuyer Education (completed within the past year); paired with NMCAA Homebuyer Coaching.
  • Buyer must bring at least $1,000 of own funds to closing; complete Homebuyer Education within the past year; obtain a home inspection (waived proof for Rural Development loans); income at or below 100% AMFI for the county. Available while funding lasts. Distinct from the statewide MSHDA MI 10K DPA.
  • A home in Antrim; Benzie; Charlevoix; Emmet; Grand Traverse; Kalkaska; Leelanau; Missaukee; Roscommon; Wexford County

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 100% of area median income
  • Homes outside Antrim; Benzie; Charlevoix; Emmet; Grand Traverse; Kalkaska; Leelanau; Missaukee; Roscommon; Wexford 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

100% of Antrim; Benzie; Charlevoix; Emmet; Grand Traverse; Kalkaska; Leelanau; Missaukee; Roscommon; Wexford 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.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through NMCAA HUD-approved Homebuyer Education (completed within the past year); paired with NMCAA Homebuyer Coaching..

  2. Contact Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA)?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Traverse City, Michigan, administered by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA). NMCAA's Down Payment Assistance Program provides $3,000 toward closing costs, down payment, or principal reduction for first-time homebuyers, structured as a 0% deferred loan repayable in full when title or ownership is transferred. It serves NMCAA's 10-county northwest Lower Michigan region and is available while funding lasts. NMCAA has been a HUD-approved housing counseling agency since 1974. $3,000 toward closing costs, down payment, or principal reduction. 0% interest deferred loan. pairs with NMCAA Homebuyer Coaching and Education. Funding comes from Not specified on the official program page (HOME vs. MSHDA pass-through unconfirmed).

How much assistance does it provide?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) offers up to $3,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum $1,000 of the buyer's own funds at closing. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Repayable in full upon transfer of title or ownership. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) 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. A homebuyer education course is required, through NMCAA HUD-approved Homebuyer Education (completed within the past year); paired with NMCAA Homebuyer Coaching. Buyer must bring at least $1,000 of own funds to closing; complete Homebuyer Education within the past year; obtain a home inspection (waived proof for Rural Development loans); income at or below 100% AMFI for the county. Available while funding lasts. Distinct from the statewide MSHDA MI 10K DPA.

What are the income limits?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income at or below 100% of Area Median Family Income (AMFI) by county: Antrim $82,100; Benzie $92,900; Charlevoix $88,000; Emmet $87,100; Grand Traverse $89,900; Kalkaska $68,600; Leelanau $98,800; Missaukee $70,300; Roscommon $64,800; Wexford $73,000. AMFI year not stated. 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?

NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) serves homebuyers purchasing in Traverse City, Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for NMCAA Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) go through Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), 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.

Also for Antrim; Benzie; Charlevoix; Emmet; Grand Traverse; Kalkaska; Leelanau; Missaukee; Roscommon; Wexford County homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 71 programs for Antrim; Benzie; Charlevoix; Emmet; Grand Traverse; Kalkaska; Leelanau; Missaukee; Roscommon; Wexford County

Program terms are set by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.