First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI)
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Missoula, Montana, administered by Human Resource Council District XI (HRC).
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 HRC-approved homeownership course; e.g., Homeword (homeword.org) or eHomeAmerica.
- Residency: Property must be in Mineral, Missoula, or Ravalli County.
- Borrower must contribute 3% down. PITI must fall within 28-32% of gross income; total debt ratio capped at 42%. Income limits are county-specific and updated annually (2025 figures shown).
- A home in Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli County
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli 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 Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli 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
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HRC-approved homeownership course; e.g., Homeword (homeword.org) or eHomeAmerica..
Contact Human Resource Council District XI (HRC) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.
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 First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI)?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Missoula, Montana, administered by Human Resource Council District XI (HRC). The Human Resource Council District XI operates a revolving loan fund providing deferred-payment, no-interest second mortgages of up to $90,000 to qualified first-time homebuyers in Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties. The loan fills the gap between purchase price and the maximum the first lender will lend; only the minimum assistance needed is provided. No payments are due while the first mortgage is being paid, with repayment (plus simple interest) due when the first mortgage is satisfied. No-interest, no-payment deferred second up to $90,000. Fills financing gap to a modest home. Only minimum needed is loaned. Serves three western Montana counties. Funding comes from HRC revolving loan fund (HOME/community development sources).
How much assistance does it provide?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) offers up to $90,000 in assistance. Award tiers: Single deferred-payment, no-interest second mortgage; amount is the minimum gap needed (max $90,000). Homebuyer contribution: Household must contribute a minimum down payment of 3% of the home's purchase price. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Human Resource Council District XI (HRC) determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Repayment due once the first mortgage is satisfied - sale, refinance, or payoff. Deferred simple interest is included in the payoff. 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?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) 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 HRC-approved homeownership course; e.g., Homeword (homeword.org) or eHomeAmerica. Residency requirement: Property must be in Mineral, Missoula, or Ravalli County. Borrower must contribute 3% down. PITI must fall within 28-32% of gross income; total debt ratio capped at 42%. Income limits are county-specific and updated annually (2025 figures shown).
What are the income limits?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household annual gross income at or below 80% of HUD median income up to day of closing. 2025 limits (1-7 persons): Missoula County $55,200/$63,050/$70,950/$78,800/$85,150/$91,450/$97,750; Ravalli County $52,200/$59,650/$67,100/$74,500/$80,550/$86,500/$92,450; Mineral County $48,900/$55,900/$62,900/$69,850/$75,450/$81,050/$86,650. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 7. 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?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) caps the purchase price as follows: May not exceed HUD-HOME maximum purchase price limits: Missoula County $490,000; Ravalli County $475,000; Mineral County $365,000.
Where does it apply?
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) serves homebuyers purchasing in Missoula, Montana.
How do you apply?
Applications for First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (Human Resource Council District XI) go through Human Resource Council District XI (HRC), 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 Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli County homebuyersOther programs open to Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli County homebuyers
- HUD Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee ProgramUp to $524,225
- FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI)Up to $25,000
- NeighborWorks Montana Statewide Low-Mod Amortizing SecondUp to $20,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 74 programs for Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli CountyProgram terms are set by Human Resource Council District XI (HRC) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.