Wayne County First-Time Home Buyers 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 buyer 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 buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

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’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 buyers 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.

1. 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. 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. 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.