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Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program

Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) - Unifour Consortium HOME Program · Catawba; Burke; Caldwell; Alexander County, North Carolina

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Assistance

$20,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$243,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 10 years

What is Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Catawba; Burke; Caldwell; Alexander County, North Carolina, administered by Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) - Unifour Consortium HOME Program.

  • HUD HOME-funded first-time homebuyer down payment/closing-cost assistance offered by the Unifour Consortium (Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba counties) and administered by WPCOG. Provides a zero-interest, no-monthly-payment second loan equal to 15% of the purchase price, capped at $20,000, with 50% forgiven at the 10-year anniversary.
  • 15% of purchase price (max $20,000).
  • 0% interest, $0 monthly payment.
  • 50% forgiven at 10-year anniversary.
  • Subordination available for refinancing.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (Unifour Consortium / City of Lenoir lead entity).

How much assistance does it provide?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) - Unifour Consortium HOME Program determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, refinance, or transfer; 50% forgiven at the 10-year anniversary, remaining balance repaid upon sale/refinance/transfer.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Applicant cannot have owned a home in the last 3 years.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum credit score of 620 required.
  • Residency: Home purchased in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, or Catawba County.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending admin review. Current WPCOG guidelines (15%/$20,000) supersede older 20%/$30,000 figures on the Morganton city page. Income-limit dollar table is an embedded image; not transcribed. Homebuyer-education requirement not stated on source.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $243,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Based on total gross household income (current income projected forward 12 months); within HUD HOME income guidelines (~80% AMI). Specific by-household-size dollar limits are published as an embedded image on the WPCOG page (not machine-readable) and were not transcribed.
  • 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?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $243,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family and New Construction.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to North Carolina.

How do you apply?

Applications for Unifour Consortium Down-Payment Assistance Program go through Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) - Unifour Consortium HOME Program, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Contact Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) - Unifour Consortium HOME Program to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  2. 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.

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