Homebuyer Assistance Program

What is Homebuyer Assistance Program?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Jackson, Mississippi.

• HUD HOME-funded soft second from City of Jackson OHCD: up to $15,000+ at 0% with no monthly payments, deferred / forgivable over the federal HOME affordability period. Restricted to homes within Jackson city limits, 80% AMI, max purchase $156,000.
• The City of Jackson Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) is a HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program-funded down payment / closing-cost assistance program administered by the City of Jackson Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). HAP provides up to $15,000 (more in some cases per OHCD subsidy-layering review) as a soft second mortgage at 0% interest with NO monthly payments. The principal is deferred during the federal HOME affordability period (typically 5-15 years depending on subsidy amount per HUD HOME rule 24 CFR Part 92) and forgiven if the borrower remains owner-occupant through the end of the affordability period. Funds may be used for down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items.
• Funding comes from Federal and HOME.

Do you have to pay it back?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Deferred during HUD HOME affordability period (5/10/15 years depending on per-unit HOME subsidy). Forgiven if borrower remains owner-occupant through end of affordability period. If the borrower sells, refinances with cash-out, ceases owner-occupancy, or otherwise triggers HUD recapture before end of affordability period, the HOME subsidy is recaptured per the OHCD recapture/resale provisions.
• The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Homebuyer Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

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

• 80% of HUD area median income (Jackson MSA) by household size. Per seed list and HUD HOME limits: approximately $46,800 (1-person) to $88,200 (8-person) for Jackson MSA. Verify current limits with OHCD.
• 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?

Homebuyer Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $156,000.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium, townhouse, PUD and manufactured home on permanent foundation per HUD HOME rule and first-mortgage overlays. Existing homes and new construction eligible.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Homebuyer Assistance Program names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses among the groups it serves.

• Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Homebuyer Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Jackson, Mississippi.

How do you apply?

Applications for Homebuyer Assistance Program go through the administering agency, 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 HUD-approved housing counseling agency providing the required 8-hour homeownership education course..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Application directly with City of Jackson OHCD. No lender-portal reservation; applicant submits HAP application package through OHCD., 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.