Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME)
Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Gastonia, North Carolina.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Standard FTHB requirement (no primary-residence ownership past 3 years); displaced homemaker / single-parent exceptions per HUD.
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Generally 640 minimum (per first-mortgage product).
- A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Prosperity Unlimited, DreamKey Partners, OnTrack WNC). 8-hour pre-purchase education plus 1-on-1 counseling required.
- Residency: Property must be located within City of Gastonia corporate limits and serve as borrower's primary residence.
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (per HUD HOME rules).
- First-time homebuyer (no primary-residence ownership past 3 years). Owner-occupied primary residence within Gastonia city limits. Household income at or below 80% AMI Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia HMFA (1-person $55,850 to 8-person $105,300, FY2025). Sales price at or below HUD HOME 95% AMSP (existing $306,000 / new $308,000). Property must pass HQS inspection; pre-1978 properties require lead-based-paint risk assessment. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education plus 1-on-1 counseling. Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution. CDBG/HOME environmental review.
- A home inside Gastonia city limits
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $308,000 price cap
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Gastonia
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 Gaston 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.
Where it applies
Gastonia’s homesGastonia’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 67.6% single-familysingle-family
- 3.8% townhousetownhouse
- 8.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 17.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.5% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$277,600
Gastonia median home value
52.4%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Gastonia
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Prosperity Unlimited, DreamKey Partners, OnTrack WNC). 8-hour pre-purchase education plus 1-on-1 counseling required..
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Apply directly to City of Gastonia Community Development Division. Income certification, credit review, and property eligibility determination performed by City staff. Pre-purchase counseling certificate required., 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 Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME)?
Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Gastonia, North Carolina. City of Gastonia HOME-funded DPA: up to $10,000 deferred forgivable second for income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing within Gastonia city limits. 80% AMI cap. Sales price tied to HUD HOME 95% AMSP. 5-10 year HOME affordability period. City of Gastonia HOME-funded Homebuyer's Assistance Program: up to $10,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance for income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing within Gastonia city limits. Structured as a 0% deferred / forgivable second, prorated forgiveness over a 5-10 year HOME affordability period. Pairs with NCHFA, FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional first mortgages. Subject to HUD HOME 95% area median sales price (existing $306,000 / new $308,000 FY2025/26 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia HMFA). Funding comes from Federal HOME and Local Government.
Do you have to pay it back?
Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Deferred 0% and forgiven prorated over 5-10 year HOME affordability period. Balance due on sale/transfer/refinance/non-owner-occupancy during affordability term. The assistance is recorded in 2 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's Assistance Program (HOME) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Standard FTHB requirement (no primary-residence ownership past 3 years); displaced homemaker / single-parent exceptions per HUD. On credit, the program states: Generally 640 minimum (per first-mortgage product). A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Prosperity Unlimited, DreamKey Partners, OnTrack WNC). 8-hour pre-purchase education plus 1-on-1 counseling required. Residency requirement: Property must be located within City of Gastonia corporate limits and serve as borrower's primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (per HUD HOME rules). First-time homebuyer (no primary-residence ownership past 3 years). Owner-occupied primary residence within Gastonia city limits. Household income at or below 80% AMI Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia HMFA (1-person $55,850 to 8-person $105,300, FY2025). Sales price at or below HUD HOME 95% AMSP (existing $306,000 / new $308,000). Property must pass HQS inspection; pre-1978 properties require lead-based-paint risk assessment. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education plus 1-on-1 counseling. Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution. CDBG/HOME environmental review.
What are the income limits?
Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income at or below 80% AMI for Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia HMFA per HUD Section 8. FY2025: 1-person $55,850 to 8-person $105,300. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. 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's Assistance Program (HOME) caps the purchase price at $308,000. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhome, and Condominium. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) serves homebuyers purchasing in Gastonia, North Carolina.
How do you apply?
Applications for Homebuyer's Assistance Program (HOME) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Apply directly to City of Gastonia Community Development Division. Income certification, credit review, and property eligibility determination performed by City staff. Pre-purchase counseling certificate required. 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 Gastonia homebuyersOther programs open to Gastonia homebuyers
- NC 1st Home Advantage Down PaymentUp to $15,000
- Down Payment AssistanceUp to $2,500
- Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)Deferred
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 69 programs for GastoniaProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.