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Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program

Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon · Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

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Assistance

$25,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, administered by Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon.

  • Administered by the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon using federal HOME funds, it helps first-time buyers at or below 80% AMI with down payment and closing-cost gap funding plus up to $4,999 repair funds, as a no-interest second-lien deferred loan repaid when the home is sold or vacated. Serves both Lebanon County and the City of Lebanon.
  • Gap funding up to $25,000.
  • Additional up to $4,999 for repairs.
  • Zero interest deferred 2nd lien.
  • Homebuyer 101 in English and Spanish.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (administered by RDA of Lebanon County).

How much assistance does it provide?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $25,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Buyer must have some of their own savings toward the purchase; exact percentage not published.
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer 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 No-interest deferred second lien (plus up to $4,999 repair component) repaid when the property is sold or no longer owner-occupied.
  • 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.

Who qualifies?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Homebuyer 101 classes (English and Spanish) with the City of Lebanon / Redevelopment Authority.
  • Residency: Property must be in Lebanon County (including the City of Lebanon).
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-11): pending review. 4-person income dollar limit, exact min contribution %, purchase-price cap, credit/DTI thresholds, and current AMI year are not published on the primary RDA source and need staff confirmation. Income example ($48,800 for 2 people) is from 2022; HOME funding sought competitively (~$250K/yr). Verified via RDA Lebanon County and City of Lebanon primary pages.

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?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Up to 80% of median income (whole-household). Example cited by the Authority: 2-person household income no more than $48,800/year (2022). 4-person dollar figure not published.
  • 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?

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

Where does it apply?

Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program serves buyers purchasing in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for Lebanon County First-Time Homebuyer Program go through Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Homebuyer 101 classes (English and Spanish) with the City of Lebanon / Redevelopment Authority..

  2. Contact Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lebanon to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply through the Redevelopment Authority; buyer responsible for monthly first mortgage., and are subject to availability.

  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.

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