First Front Door (FFD)

What is First Front Door (FFD)?

First Front Door (FFD) is a grant for homebuyers in Pennsylvania, administered by FHLBank Pittsburgh (Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh).

• First Front Door (FFD) is FHLBank Pittsburgh's homebuyer grant program providing down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers across Pennsylvania (also DE and WV). Offered through participating member banks that provide first-mortgage financing, a homebuyer contributing at least $1,500 of personal funds can receive a grant up to $15,000. Standard FFD serves households at or below 80% AMI; FFD Keys serves first-generation first-time buyers at or below 120% AMI, also up to $15,000.
• Up to $15,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs.
• Low minimum buyer contribution ($1,500).
• Available statewide through member banks.
• Keys product expands access to first-generation buyers up to 120% AMI.
• No interest, no monthly payments; fully retained after 5-year period.
• Funding comes from FHLBank Pittsburgh voluntary housing grant initiative (member-funded; offered through participating member financial institutions).

How much assistance does it provide?

First Front Door (FFD) offers up to $15,000 in assistance.

• Award tiers: Standard FFD (household income at or below 80% AMI) and FFD Keys (first-generation first-time buyers at or below 120% AMI); each up to $15,000.
• Buyer contribution: Homebuyer must contribute a minimum of $1,500 of personal funds toward down payment and closing costs.
• The program can be combined with May be combined with other DP/closing-cost assistance subject to member underwriting.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — FHLBank Pittsburgh (Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

First Front Door (FFD) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

• Repayment is triggered by Pro-rata repayment if the home is sold or cash-out refinanced before the end of the 5-year retention period; secured by a Real Estate Retention Agreement.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

First Front Door (FFD) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

First Front Door (FFD) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Standard FFD: household income at or below 80% HUD AMI at registration. FFD Keys: at or below 120% HUD AMI. Limit varies by property location/MSA.
• 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.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

First Front Door (FFD) names first-generation buyers 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?

First Front Door (FFD) serves buyers purchasing anywhere in Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for First Front Door (FFD) go through FHLBank Pittsburgh (Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh), 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 At least 4 hours of homeownership counseling (incl. predatory-lending topic) from an approved agency before purchase; options include HUD-approved agencies, eHome America, Framework, PHFA, Freddie Mac CreditSmart, Fannie Mae HomeView.

2. 2

   Contact FHLBank Pittsburgh (Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Members submit FFD/Keys reservation requests during annual open funding rounds via FFD Online; FHLBank processes/approves within 10 business days, 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.