Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program is a grant for homebuyers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, administered by Blair County Community Action Program (BCCAP) in partnership with the Blair County Department of Social Services. The Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs for income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing a single-family primary residence within Blair County, PA (including Altoona). A partnership of Blair County Community Action and the Blair County Department of Social Services, it is funded through the county's Affordable Housing Trust Fund (a recording fee on deed/mortgage transfers). Applicants must be mortgage pre-approved, meet HUD income limits for the Altoona MSA, prove 90 days of county residency, and sign an agreement to retain the property as their primary residence for at least five years. Up to $5,000 grant toward down payment and/or closing costs. no repayment if 5-year owner-occupancy met. free HUD-approved counseling, credit repair, savings, and budgeting assistance. Funding comes from Blair County Affordable Housing Trust Fund (county recording fee on deed/mortgage transfers); First-Time Homebuyer is an allocated line item ($50,000 allocation per AHTF records).

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $5,000 in assistance. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Blair County Community Action Program (BCCAP) in partnership with the Blair County Department of Social Services determines any individual award.

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by Applicant signs a written agreement to retain (own/occupy) the property for at least five years; sale or failure to retain within that period can trigger recapture/repayment. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance 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: No published minimum; BCCAP offers credit-repair, savings, and budgeting counseling to help applicants qualify for pre-approval. A homebuyer education course is required, through Blair County Community Action Program (HUD-approved counseling) — pre-purchase education, housing counseling, credit analysis, budget counseling. Residency requirement: Proof of at least 90 days of Blair County residency; home must be in Blair County. First-time homebuyer; mortgage pre-approval required; 90+ days Blair County residency; single-family home in Blair County, owner-occupied; income within annually-updated HUD limits for the Altoona MSA; five-year retention agreement. Funded by Blair County AHTF (confirmed active via the Feb 2024 AHTF agenda and 2026 meeting schedule). City of Altoona checked and SKIPPED (offers only owner-occupied rehab).

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program sets its income limit as follows: Household income must not exceed HUD income limits for the Altoona, PA MSA, updated annually. At launch (2018 brochure) approx: 1=$36,500; 2=$41,700; 4=$52,100 (then HUD 80% AMI). Current FY2025 HUD Low-Income (80% AMI) Altoona MSA: 1=$46,950; 2=$53,650; 3=$60,350; 4=$67,050. Confirm current tier with the agency. 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.

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program can be used for Single Family.

Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Applications for Blair County First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program go through Blair County Community Action Program (BCCAP) in partnership with the Blair County Department of Social Services, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. 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.