Q: Who qualifies?

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time buyer" 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 Kingdom Community Development Corporation (First Time Homebuyers Workshop, fourth Saturday monthly at Fayetteville Tech) plus HUD-certified 1-on-1 counseling. DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-11): pending review. PROGRAM TEMPORARILY CLOSED to new applications as of June 2026 (down payment assistance funds exhausted); reopening subject to funding and possible policy/process changes; previously submitted applications still reviewed (submission does not guarantee assistance). 0% interest forgivable loan; forgiveness term by tier (Citizen/Public Service HERO 10-year affordability period; City Employee HERO 5-year), pro-rated annual forgiveness. Home must be within Fayetteville city limits. First Time Homebuyers Workshop (Kingdom CDC) plus HUD-certified 1-on-1 counseling required before applying. Apply through a participating lender. First-time homebuyer required (HUD 3-year rule). UNCONFIRMED from primary sources (image-based guidelines PDF / PNG AMI tables not machine-readable): min credit score, max DTI, max purchase price, min buyer contribution, lien position, recapture terms, participating lenders, exact AMI dollar figures.

Q: What are the income limits?

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Citizen and Public Service HERO: gross household income at or below 120% AMI; City Employee HERO: at or below 140% AMI, adjusted for family size. 2026 120% and 140% AMI tables published on program page as images (specific dollar figures not machine-readable). 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.

Q: Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) names educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers 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.

Q: Where does it apply?

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is a federal program, so it is not limited to North Carolina.

Q: How do you apply?

Applications for Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) go through City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Question 1

What is Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville)?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Fayetteville, North Carolina, administered by City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department. The Homebuying HERO (Homebuyer Education and Readiness Opportunity) Program, administered by the City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, provides up to $30,000 in gap financing toward purchasing a home within Fayetteville city limits as a 0% interest forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs. Three tiers: Citizen HERO (up to $20,000, residents at or below 120% AMI), Public Service HERO (up to $30,000, government/healthcare/education employees and public-service retirees at or below 120% AMI), and City Employee HERO (up to $30,000, City employees at or below 140% AMI). Up to $30,000 gap financing (down payment and closing costs). 0% interest forgivable loan. Citizen HERO up to $20,000; Public Service and City Employee HERO up to $30,000. HOME-funded (no buyer match required for low/moderate income). This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city. Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME); historically CDBG prior to May 2024 expansion.

Question 2

How much assistance does it provide?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) offers up to $30,000 in assistance. Award tiers: Citizen HERO: up to $20,000; City of Fayetteville residents; <=120% AMI; 10-year forgiveness. Public Service HERO: up to $30,000; government/healthcare/education employees and public-service retirees; <=120% AMI; 10-year forgiveness. City Employee HERO: up to $30,000; City of Fayetteville employees; <=140% AMI; 5-year forgiveness. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department determines any individual award.

Question 3

Do you have to pay it back?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Question 4

Who qualifies?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time buyer" 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 Kingdom Community Development Corporation (First Time Homebuyers Workshop, fourth Saturday monthly at Fayetteville Tech) plus HUD-certified 1-on-1 counseling. DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-11): pending review. PROGRAM TEMPORARILY CLOSED to new applications as of June 2026 (down payment assistance funds exhausted); reopening subject to funding and possible policy/process changes; previously submitted applications still reviewed (submission does not guarantee assistance). 0% interest forgivable loan; forgiveness term by tier (Citizen/Public Service HERO 10-year affordability period; City Employee HERO 5-year), pro-rated annual forgiveness. Home must be within Fayetteville city limits. First Time Homebuyers Workshop (Kingdom CDC) plus HUD-certified 1-on-1 counseling required before applying. Apply through a participating lender. First-time homebuyer required (HUD 3-year rule). UNCONFIRMED from primary sources (image-based guidelines PDF / PNG AMI tables not machine-readable): min credit score, max DTI, max purchase price, min buyer contribution, lien position, recapture terms, participating lenders, exact AMI dollar figures.

Question 5

What are the income limits?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Citizen and Public Service HERO: gross household income at or below 120% AMI; City Employee HERO: at or below 140% AMI, adjusted for family size. 2026 120% and 140% AMI tables published on program page as images (specific dollar figures not machine-readable). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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.

Question 6

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) names educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers 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.

Question 7

Where does it apply?

Accepted Answer

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) is a federal program, so it is not limited to North Carolina.

Question 8

How do you apply?

Accepted Answer

Applications for Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville) go through City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Homebuying HERO Program (City of Fayetteville)