Homeownership Program

What is Homeownership Program?

Homeownership Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• HACP's Homeownership Program enables Section 8 HCV holders and FSS graduates to use HCV subsidy and FSS escrow toward homeownership in the City of Pittsburgh. First-time homebuyer required, employment requirement, HUD HQS inspection, mandatory counseling.
• Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's (HACP) Homeownership Program enables qualifying Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders and Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) graduates to convert their HCV rental subsidy to homeownership subsidy applied to mortgage payments. Provides ongoing monthly mortgage assistance via HCV Homeownership Voucher conversion (federal HUD program), plus first-time-homebuyer counseling and FSS escrow disbursement (FSS graduates accumulate matching escrow during voucher tenure that may be applied to down payment at closing). Income range $35,150-$131,700 reflects 30%-140% AMI for Allegheny County. First-time homebuyers only.
• Funding comes from Federal.

Do you have to pay it back?

Homeownership Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by None for HCV subsidy (federal program). FSS escrow disbursed at closing as down payment - no repayment required.
• The assistance is recorded in N/A (subsidy + FSS escrow disbursement) position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Homeownership Program limits household income to 140% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Income range $35,150-$131,700 reflects 30%-140% AMI for Allegheny County. HCV Homeownership Voucher requires household income at or below HACP's HCV income eligibility (typically 50%-80% AMI). FSS graduates may have higher post-graduation income.
• 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?

Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Per first-mortgage product loan limits.

• Eligible property types include Single-family, condominium, cooperative, manufactured home (with HACP approval). Must pass HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Homeownership Program names buyers with disabilities 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?

Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for Homeownership Program 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 HACP-required pre-purchase homebuyer counseling through HUD-approved counseling agency (e.g., NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, ACTION-Housing). FSS program participation required for FSS escrow disbursement track..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Apply through HACP Homeownership Coordinator. HCV Homeownership eligibility determined by HACP. FSS escrow accrued during voucher tenure released at closing., 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.