Umatilla Saves Program

Umatilla Saves Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Pendleton|Mission, Oregon. Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) is a Native CDFI of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Its Umatilla Saves program offers matched-savings and DPA loan products to qualified Native households purchasing primary residences in Umatilla County and surrounding region. Tribal CDFI matched savings / down payment assistance loan program for members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and other eligible Native households purchasing primary residences. Funds may be used for down payment, closing costs, and pre-paids. Funding comes from Tribal, CDFI, and Treasury.

Umatilla Saves Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, refinance without subordination, or loss of owner-occupancy. 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.

Umatilla Saves Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: 620 minimum FICO. A homebuyer education course is required, through NCFS Financial Education / HUD-approved counseling. Residency requirement: Property typically within Umatilla County and surrounding tribal service area. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen / Tribal enrollment. Must be an enrolled member of CTUIR or other federally recognized tribe (per NCFS policy). Pre-purchase homebuyer education and financial education required. Income limits up to 100% AMI ($17,100 minimum for very-low income tier; up to $87,450 for larger households). 620 minimum FICO.

Umatilla Saves Program limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income tiers from very-low (~$17,100 for 1-person) up to 100% AMI (~$87,450 for larger households, 2025). 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.

Umatilla Saves Program caps the purchase price as follows: Set per program guidelines. Eligible property types include 1-unit single-family, condominium, townhome, PUD, manufactured home on owned land. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.

Umatilla Saves Program names American Indian and Alaska Native homebuyers 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.

Umatilla Saves Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Pendleton|Mission, Oregon.

Applications for Umatilla Saves Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application through NCFS. 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.