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City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program

City of Jeannette (CDBG), with Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW) · Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$3,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, administered by City of Jeannette (CDBG), with Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW).

  • The City of Jeannette offers low-to-moderate-income homebuyers a matching down payment and closing cost grant of up to $3,000 (paying up to 50% of required down payment and/or closing costs) toward the purchase of a single-family home within the city. Assistance is structured as a recorded second mortgage equal to the city's contribution, forgiven 20% per year and fully forgiven after five years of continuous owner-occupancy.
  • Up to $3,000 toward down payment/closing costs.
  • Matches up to 50% of buyer costs.
  • 0% interest.
  • Forgiven 20%/year over 5 years.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from Federal CDBG / HOME funds via City of Jeannette and Westmoreland County.

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program offers up to $3,000 in assistance.

  • Award tiers: Matching assistance: pays up to 50% of required down payment and/or closing costs, maximum $3,000. City contribution matched by buyer.
  • Buyer contribution: Buyer must contribute a matching share (city pays up to 50% of down payment/closing costs).
  • The program can be combined with Layered with a primary mortgage; commonly combined with PHFA and other Westmoreland County programs.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Jeannette (CDBG), with Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Forgiven 20% per year; lien fully forgiven after 5 years of continuous owner-occupancy. If sold before the 5-year anniversary, remaining balance must be repaid.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second mortgage (subordinate lien held by the city). position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • Residency: Property must be a single-family home located within the City of Jeannette.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-13): pending review. Confirmed via Westmoreland County official Homeownership & Rental Programs page (RACW); terms: up to $3,000 / 50% match, forgivable second mortgage 20%/yr over 5 years, <80% AMI for City of Jeannette, single-family in city limits, max price <=95% of FHA 203(b) limit. GAPS: explicit FTHB requirement, full HUD income table by household size, homebuyer-education requirement, HQS/inspection requirement, min credit/DTI, participating lenders not confirmed on a single official program PDF — verify against City of Jeannette/RACW guidelines (724-830-3600).

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must be below 80% of the area median income for the City of Jeannette (HUD limits adjusted by household size). Full per-household-size dollar table not published — confirm current HUD 80% AMI limits with the City/RACW.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: Maximum purchase price may not exceed 95% of the maximum FHA 203(b) loan amount for the area.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family.

Where does it apply?

City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Jeannette Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program go through City of Jeannette (CDBG), with Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Contact City of Jeannette (CDBG), with Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  2. 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.

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