Essential Public Employee Program (EP2)
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) is a repayable second loan for homebuyers in Mandan, North Dakota, administered by Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084).
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Not published; determined during application
- Residency: Borrower must be employed by a qualifying North Dakota public/essential employer; property in North Dakota
- Eligibility based on qualifying public/essential employment (employer-restricted). Applicants must meet minimum down payment requirements. Credit score, DTI, income, purchase-price limits, and property eligibility not published and confirmed during application. Administered by Lewis & Clark Development Group under CommunityWorks North Dakota (NMLS #177084); housing director NMLS #180495.
- A home in North Dakota
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Where it applies
North Dakota’s homesNorth Dakota’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 56.7% single-familysingle-family
- 6.3% townhousetownhouse
- 5.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 25.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 6.7% 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.
$249,900
North Dakota median home value
47.8%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyTwo steps, in this order
Contact Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Applications handled directly by LCDG Housing Director; works with any North Dakota bank or credit union, 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 Essential Public Employee Program (EP2)?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) is a repayable second loan for homebuyers in Mandan, North Dakota, administered by Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084). The Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) provides down payment and closing cost assistance to North Dakota public and essential employees through a second-mortgage loan of up to $10,000 with interest rates as low as 4% for up to 10 years. Eligible employees include city, county, and state government workers, law enforcement, firefighters and first responders, school district employees, and medical/long-term care facility staff. EP2 can be used to meet down payment requirements or to avoid private mortgage insurance, and it works with any North Dakota bank or credit union. Up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Low fixed rate as low as 4%. Up to 10-year term. Can be used to avoid private mortgage insurance. Works with any ND bank or credit union. No income limit. Funding comes from Lewis & Clark Development Group / CommunityWorks North Dakota revolving loan funds.
How much assistance does it provide?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) offers up to $10,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Applicants must meet minimum down payment requirements; EP2 can also be used to avoid private mortgage insurance. The program can be combined with A first mortgage from any North Dakota bank or credit union. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084) determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) is a repayable second loan and is repaid under the terms set by Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084). Repayment is triggered by Repayable second-mortgage loan amortized over up to 10 years; repaid via monthly payments (and on sale/refinance per loan terms). The assistance is recorded in 2nd position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: Not published; determined during application. Residency requirement: Borrower must be employed by a qualifying North Dakota public/essential employer; property in North Dakota. Eligibility based on qualifying public/essential employment (employer-restricted). Applicants must meet minimum down payment requirements. Credit score, DTI, income, purchase-price limits, and property eligibility not published and confirmed during application. Administered by Lewis & Clark Development Group under CommunityWorks North Dakota (NMLS #177084); housing director NMLS #180495.
What are the income limits?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) sets its income limit as follows: No income limit published; eligibility is based on qualifying public-employee status rather than income. 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?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) can be used for Single Family.
Is there eligibility for specific groups?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) names educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers among the groups it serves. The program is also limited to employees of City government; county government; state government; law enforcement officers and support staff; emergency services (professional and volunteer firefighters, professional and volunteer first-responders, and support staff); school districts (teachers, paraprofessionals, administration, support staff); medical or long-term care facilities; and others as determined by Lewis & Clark Development Group. 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?
Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) serves homebuyers purchasing in Mandan, North Dakota.
How do you apply?
Applications for Essential Public Employee Program (EP2) go through Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Applications handled directly by LCDG Housing Director; works with any North Dakota bank or credit union. 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 North Dakota homebuyersOther programs open to North Dakota homebuyers
- Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance - DCADeferred
- Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance - StartDeferred
- FirstHomeFirst mortgage
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 70 programs for North DakotaProgram terms are set by Lewis & Clark Development Group (operating as CommunityWorks North Dakota, NMLS #177084) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.