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City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program

City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division · Hattiesburg, Mississippi

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$20,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven once the program's conditions are met

What is City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, administered by City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division.

  • The City of Hattiesburg's HOME Downpayment Assistance Program provides a forgivable loan of up to $20,000 to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a single-family detached home or new construction within Hattiesburg city limits. Funded by HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the program targets households at or below 80% of area median income. Applicants must complete pre-qualification with a lender and an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education workshop before receiving assistance. The program is confirmed active in the City's 2025 Annual Action Plan, with HOME funds totaling $296,670.90 allocated for program year 2025.
  • Up to $20,000 forgivable loan.
  • Covers down payment and/or closing costs (credit reports, title insurance, appraisals, home inspections, surveying, recording fees).
  • HOME-funded, ongoing program.
  • 8-hour HBE workshop required.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met.

  • Repayment is triggered by HOME recapture provisions apply; specifics attached to 2025 Action Plan as a separate Recapture Provisions document. Sale or failure to maintain primary residence during affordability period triggers recapture.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: No record of homeownership in the past three years
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Must be pre-qualified with a lender (pre-qualification approval required)
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency; 8-hour homebuyer education workshop required
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-13): pending review. Program confirmed active per 2025 Annual Action Plan. Forgiveness period/affordability term not explicitly stated in public brochure; recapture provisions exist per 24 CFR 92.254. Income limits from 2022 brochure shown; current limits are based on annual HUD publication — use 2024 HUD HOME limits for Hattiesburg MSA. Not all buyers will qualify for maximum $20,000; funding amounts vary based on bank and city underwriting. Manufactured homes explicitly excluded.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Households must have incomes at or below 80% of the area median household income, adjusted for household size, per annual HUD determination. 2022 brochure showed 4-person limit of $50,250; 2024 HUD HOME Low Income limit for Hattiesburg MSA is $58,500 for 4-person.
  • 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?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: Home must be located within Hattiesburg city limits; no maximum purchase price confirmed in available documents.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Hattiesburg HOME Downpayment Assistance Program go through City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency; 8-hour homebuyer education workshop required.

  2. Contact City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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