Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, administered by The Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County (Cumberland County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities). A county-funded first-time homebuyer down payment and closing cost assistance program providing up to $5,000 (up to $3,000 for 80-100% AMI; up to $5,000 below 80% AMI) as a five-year, no-interest, forgivable second-mortgage loan, matching the buyer's contribution 3-to-1. Applicants must have lived or worked in Cumberland County for six months, be a first-time homebuyer, have a 620+ credit score, complete homebuyer education, hold no more than $30,000 in assets after settlement, and purchase a single-family home in Cumberland County. Up to $5,000 in DP/closing cost assistance. No interest, no monthly payments. Fully forgiven after 5 years. 3-to-1 match on buyer contribution. No maximum purchase price. Funding comes from County of Cumberland (administered via the Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County); awards each year depend on the annual allocation.

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program offers up to $5,000 in assistance. Award tiers: 80-100% of County Median Income: up to $3,000. Below 80% of County Median Income: up to $5,000. Homebuyer contribution: Buyer must contribute their own funds matched 3-to-1 (program provides $3 per $1 of buyer funds); match capped at $3,000 (80-100% AMI) or $5,000 (below 80% AMI). Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — The Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County (Cumberland County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities) determines any individual award.

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or loss of owner-occupancy before the 5-year forgiveness term completes; 1/60 forgiven per month. The assistance is recorded in Second position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time = never owned a home; owned a mobile home but not the land; displaced homemaker; or not owned a home within the last three years. On credit, the program states: Credit score of 620 or higher with lender documentation. A homebuyer education course is required, through Any HUD-approved Housing Counseling agency; certificate of completion required prior to settlement. Residency requirement: Must have lived or worked in Cumberland County for at least six months. PROGRAM STATUS: official program page (modified 2026-05-27) states the program CLOSES TO NEW APPLICATIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026; active and accepting applications as of the research date (2026-06-15). Upon approval, applicant has up to 6 months to close. Detailed guidelines/application/grant-agreement PDFs are linked on the program page but cached copies returned mismatched documents; values are from the official HTML program page only. Max DTI, citizenship, new-construction/HOA/flood-zone, and loan-mechanics fields not specified (null).

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 2026 income limits (gross annual household income not to exceed 100% AMI): 1: 80%=$61,250/100%=$76,600; 2: $70,000/$87,500; 3: $78,750/$98,400; 4: $87,450/$109,300; 5: $94,450/$118,100; 6: $101,450/$126,800; 7: $108,450/$135,600; 8: $115,450/$144,300. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: No maximum purchase price; eligible applicants may purchase single-family homes of any price in Cumberland County. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Manufactured home (HUD code, permanently affixed), and Modular/factory-built housing. Manufactured homes are eligible.

Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Applications for Cumberland County First-Time Homebuyer's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program go through The Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County (Cumberland County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Applications accepted year-round; funds reserved first-come, first-served subject to availability. 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.