Pathways to Homeownership

What is Pathways to Homeownership?

Pathways to Homeownership is a grant for homebuyers in Multiple County, New Hampshire.

• AHEAD's Northern NH (Coos / Carroll / Grafton counties) DPA grant: up to $20,000 for first-time low-to-moderate-income homebuyers. 5-year recoverable grant, converts to true grant after 5 years owner-occupancy. 80% AMI income limit. Multi-county.
• AHEAD's Pathways to Homeownership is a Northern New Hampshire-focused nonprofit DPA grant program serving Coos, Carroll, and Grafton counties. Provides up to $20,000 in down-payment / closing-cost assistance (grant, structured as a 5-year recoverable grant that converts to a true grant if the borrower remains in the home as primary residence for 5 years). Funded via HUD HOME pass-through, USDA-RD Section 502 partnership, NH Charitable Foundation grants, and AHEAD's own loan-pool revolving funds. Targeted at low-to-moderate income (LMI) buyers (up to 80% AMI for the applicable county). Pairs with first mortgage from AHEAD's lender partners (NH Community Loan Fund, NH Housing, USDA-RD direct, or local community bank). Income limits range $87,840-$129,840 by county and household size. Homebuyer education and 1:1 housing counseling required (provided by AHEAD's HUD-certified counseling staff).
• Funding comes from Nonprofit and Federal.

Do you have to pay it back?

Pathways to Homeownership is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

• Repayment is triggered by 5-year recoverable grant - if borrower sells, refinances with cash-out, transfers title, or vacates as primary residence within 5 years, grant is repayable on a pro-rata basis (1/60 forgiven per month). After 5 years of continued owner-occupancy, grant is fully forgiven (true grant).
• 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?

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

What are the income limits?

Pathways to Homeownership limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• AHEAD Pathways income limits at or below 80% AMI by county and household size: range $87,840 (low-AMI 1-person) to $129,840 (Grafton County 4+ person 80% AMI tier).
• 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?

Pathways to Homeownership caps the purchase price as follows: Per first-mortgage product limits; AHEAD's service area median price is below $400,000 (Northern NH rural market).

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium, townhouse, modular, manufactured home on permanent foundation. 2-4 unit owner-occupied permitted on case-by-case basis.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Pathways to Homeownership names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, surviving spouses, 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?

Pathways to Homeownership serves buyers purchasing in Multiple County, New Hampshire.

• The program targets specific areas: Coos County, Carroll County, and Grafton County (Northern New Hampshire). Service area aligned with HUD HOME consortium and AHEAD's USDA-RD Section 502 packaging service area.

How do you apply?

Applications for Pathways to Homeownership 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 AHEAD HUD-certified housing counseling agency (CHFA-style direct counseling and homebuyer education classes)..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Reserved directly with AHEAD via housing-counseling intake; subject to fund availability and successful completion of AHEAD's homebuyer readiness program., 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.