HouseCharlotte - Program 1A

What is HouseCharlotte - Program 1A?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• HouseCharlotte Program 1A is the City of Charlotte's primary down payment assistance program for low-income (≤80% AMI) first-time homebuyers purchasing within Charlotte city limits. Provides up to $17,000 as a 0%-interest, deferred forgivable second mortgage with a 15-year HOME/CDBG affordability period. Administered by DreamKey Partners on behalf of the City of Charlotte's Housing & Neighborhood Services Department, funded by federal HOME and CDBG dollars and City general funds.
• HouseCharlotte Program 1A is the City of Charlotte's lower-income DPA tier (≤80% AMI), providing up to $17,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing within the Charlotte city limits. The DPA is structured as a 0%-interest deferred second mortgage that is forgiven over a 15-year affordability period (HOME-funded portion). No monthly payments. If the borrower remains in the home and continues to occupy as a primary residence through year 15, the lien is fully forgiven.
• Funding comes from City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services - federal HOME Investment Partnership funds, CDBG, and City general funds.

Do you have to pay it back?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A is forgiven after 15 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by If borrower sells, refinances cash-out, transfers title, or stops occupying as primary residence during 15-year affordability period: pro-rata recapture per HOME rules. After year 15: lien fully forgiven and released.
• 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?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Maximum qualifying household income at or below 80% of HUD-published Area Median Income for Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia MSA. 2025 4-person 80% AMI approximately $111,950 (verify current limits with DreamKey at application; HUD updates limits annually each spring). 1-person 80% AMI approximately $59,400 - $78,400 depending on year and HUD revision. Income includes all borrowers and 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?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A 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 within Charlotte city limits.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, surviving spouses, American Indian and Alaska Native buyers, educators, 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?

HouseCharlotte - Program 1A serves buyers purchasing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• The program targets specific areas: City of Charlotte may identify priority neighborhoods (Corridors of Opportunity, NOAH preservation areas) that receive enhanced HouseCharlotte assistance amounts; verify current priority zones with DreamKey Partners.

How do you apply?

Applications for HouseCharlotte - Program 1A 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 pre-purchase counseling required; other HUD-approved providers may be accepted with City of Charlotte approval.

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Lender reserves HouseCharlotte 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.