Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS)

What is Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS)?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in La Grande, Oregon.

• Community Connection of Northeast Oregon (CCNO) administers Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)-funded down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers (no home ownership in the past three years) purchasing a primary residence in Baker, Grant, Union, or Wallowa counties. Assistance is an interest-free loan repaid with shared appreciation upon sale or refinance of the first mortgage. Households must be at or below their county Area Median Income, have a minimum 620 credit score, work with a participating lender, and complete CCNO's homebuyer education workshop. The program is not restricted to veterans.
• Interest-free OHCS down payment assistance loan repaid with shared appreciation at sale or refinance; for first-time buyers at or below county AMI with a 620+ credit score in Baker, Grant, Union, and Wallowa counties. Not veteran-restricted.
• Funding comes from State and Veteran.

Do you have to pay it back?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) 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.

Who qualifies?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income at or below 80% AMI for CCNO service area: 1-person $62,400; 8-person $73,500 (2025 northeast OR limits).
• 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?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) 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.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) names active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses 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?

Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) serves buyers purchasing in La Grande, Oregon.

How do you apply?

Applications for Community Connection of NE Oregon Down Payment Assistance (OHCS) 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 CCNO / HUD-approved housing counseling agencies.

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Application through CCNO, 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.