Doorway to Prosperity

What is Doorway to Prosperity?

Doorway to Prosperity is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• Doorway to Prosperity is DreamKey Partners' Charlotte/Mecklenburg County DPA tier serving moderate-income workforce buyers (approximately 80-120% AMI) who earn too much for HouseCharlotte 1A or CPLP. The program provides up to $60,000 in deferred 0%-interest second-mortgage assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing in Mecklenburg County. Doorway is funded by Mecklenburg County, Bank of America community lending capital, and other corporate/philanthropic partners aggregated by DreamKey.
• Doorway to Prosperity is DreamKey Partners' workforce-housing DPA tier in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, providing up to $60,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance for moderate-income first-time homebuyers (typically 80-120% AMI) who do not qualify for the lower-income CPLP/HouseCharlotte programs. The DPA is structured as a 0%-interest deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments. The full balance is due at sale, refinance, transfer, or end of term (typically 30 years).
• Funding comes from Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte (workforce housing tier), Bank of America Community Lending, Wells Fargo, and other corporate partners; aggregated by DreamKey Partners.

Do you have to pay it back?

Doorway to Prosperity is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Full balance due at sale, refinance (without subordination), title transfer, end of first-mortgage term, or if home is no longer occupied as primary residence.
• 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?

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

What are the income limits?

Doorway to Prosperity limits household income to 110% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Targeted to moderate-income workforce buyers, typically 80%-120% of Area Median Income for Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia MSA. 2025 4-person 120% AMI for Charlotte MSA approximately $154,000; minimum entry threshold approximately $59,400 (60% AMI) so borrowers below that may be steered to HouseCharlotte 1A. Income includes all borrowers and any non-borrower spouse on title.
• 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?

Doorway to Prosperity caps the purchase price at $315,000.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, townhomes, condos (must meet agency project approval), 1-unit owner-occupied and new and existing homes in Mecklenburg County.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Doorway to Prosperity names active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, surviving spouses, law enforcement officers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and buyers with disabilities 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?

Doorway to Prosperity serves buyers purchasing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How do you apply?

Applications for Doorway to Prosperity 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 DreamKey Partners 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education plus 1:1 housing counseling; other HUD-approved providers also accepted.

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Lender reserves Doorway funds via DreamKey Partners' lender portal alongside first-mortgage reservation, 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.