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Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Wayne County, Michigan, administered by Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers).

Last verified Source: Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer defined as a purchaser who has not owned a home within the last three years.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through National Faith Homebuyers (homeownership counseling/education series covering credit, buying a home, qualifying for a mortgage, home maintenance)
  • First-time buyer (no homeownership in last 3 years); cannot own/have interest in other real estate; liquid assets may not exceed $10,000; housing ratio <=30% and DTI <=43%; must complete National Faith homebuyer education; property must pass HQS inspection or obtain Certificate of Occupancy where required; must occupy as primary residence 5 years for forgiveness.
  • A home in Wayne County

It doesn’t cover

  • New construction
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Wayne 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 Wayne 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.

$104,800
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Wayne County’s homes

  • 69.6% single-family
  • 6% townhouse
  • 6.5% 2–4 units
  • 16.1% 5+ units
  • 1.8% mobile & other

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

$178,500

Wayne County median home value

80.4%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through National Faith Homebuyers (homeownership counseling/education series covering credit, buying a home, qualifying for a mortgage, home maintenance).

  2. Contact Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application processed by National Faith Homebuyers, then submitted to Wayne County for final approval and check issuance (3-4 week county waiting period)., 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 Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Wayne County, Michigan, administered by Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers). Wayne County offers first-time homebuyers down payment and closing cost assistance when purchasing a home in any of the 37 participating non-Detroit communities. Assistance is an interest-free deferred loan from $5,000 up to $14,999, due upon sale of the property, with up to $7,500 forgiven after a five-year ownership period. Administered through National Faith Homebuyers, which also provides required homeownership counseling. Interest-free deferred down payment and closing cost assistance up to $14,999, with up to $7,500 forgivable after 5 years. Funding comes from Federal HOME funds via Wayne County / HUD.

How much assistance does it provide?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program offers between $5,000 and $14,999 in assistance. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Interest-free deferred loan due upon sale of the property; up to $7,500 of the loan is forgiven after the initial five-year ownership period, with the balance due on sale/transfer. 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?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time homebuyer defined as a purchaser who has not owned a home within the last three years. A homebuyer education course is required, through National Faith Homebuyers (homeownership counseling/education series covering credit, buying a home, qualifying for a mortgage, home maintenance). First-time buyer (no homeownership in last 3 years); cannot own/have interest in other real estate; liquid assets may not exceed $10,000; housing ratio <=30% and DTI <=43%; must complete National Faith homebuyer education; property must pass HQS inspection or obtain Certificate of Occupancy where required; must occupy as primary residence 5 years for forgiveness.

What are the income limits?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Total household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income per HUD limits for household size (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA). All household income counted. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Wayne County, Michigan. The program targets specific areas: Available only in 37 participating Wayne County communities (non-Detroit). Includes Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Twp., the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Huron Twp., Inkster, Melvindale, Plymouth & Plymouth Twp., River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Sumpter Twp., Northville Twp., Trenton, Van Buren Twp., Wayne, Woodhaven, Wyandotte. Detroit, Dearborn and Livonia are excluded.

How do you apply?

Applications for Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers Program go through Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application processed by National Faith Homebuyers, then submitted to Wayne County for final approval and check issuance (3-4 week county waiting period). 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 Wayne County Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division (administered by National Faith Homebuyers) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.