Community Home Trust - Affordable Homeownership Program
Shared-appreciation loan · New construction · Income limit 115% of AMI
Single Family, Townhouse, Condo
See details Aug 2026
Down payment assistance · North Carolina
Buying a home in Orange County, NC
1 county-wide program, 1 city with their own, plus 6 statewide and 62 nationwide.Orange has 1 program that covers the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 6 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in OrangeAnywhere in Orange County
1 program for every Orange address1 program that covers every Orange address
It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.This is run for the whole county, so a home in Chapel Hill, Carrboro or Hillsborough can use it. It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Orange, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Orange city with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 1.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 1 county-wide program above.
The Orange marketThe Orange housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Orange
- 59.3% single-familysingle-family
- 8.9% townhousetownhouse
- 4.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 21.9% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 5.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. The one county-wide program and 0 of the 1 city program list condos as eligible. Town of Chapel Hill Employee Housing Program - Homebuyer Assistance lists single family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Orange’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
31.5%
of Orange homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$129,900
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Orange County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$90,089
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Orange (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
63.8%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (North Carolina: 66.6%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 14 of the 70 programs here set their income limit as a share of Orange County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Orange County
Free help in OrangeFree help in Orange
3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county3 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Orange County
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 2 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Orange County.
3 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Orange CountyAll 3 cities and places in Orange County
has a program of its own
Orange questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Orange?
The 1 county-wide program cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Chapel Hill’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Orange County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Orange programs accept condos?
The one county-wide program and 0 of the 1 city program list condos as eligible. Town of Chapel Hill Employee Housing Program - Homebuyer Assistance lists single family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Orange?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 3 agencies have an office in Orange County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–September 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.