Down Payment Assistance Program

What is Down Payment Assistance Program?

Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Shelby County, Tennessee.

• Shelby County DPA - HUD HOME/CDBG-funded forgivable second mortgage for FTHBs in Shelby County (outside City of Memphis). Up to $15,000 at 0% interest, deferred, forgiven over 5 years. $400K max purchase, income $98,314-$113,061 (80-120% AMI tiers).
• Shelby County Department of Housing Down Payment Assistance Program is a HUD HOME / CDBG-funded forgivable second mortgage for first-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence in Shelby County (excluding the City of Memphis, which has its own HCD programs). Eligible buyers receive up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs. The loan is 0% interest, deferred, and forgivable over a 5-year HUD HOME affordability period. Income limits at the upper end ($98,314-$113,061) reflect Shelby County's slightly higher income ceiling allowing buyers between 80%-120% AMI Memphis MSA upper household-size brackets.
• Funding comes from Federal, HOME, and County.

Do you have to pay it back?

Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Forgiven over 5-year HOME affordability period (1/5 per year). Unforgiven balance due on sale/refi/transfer/non-occupancy before period end, limited to net proceeds.
• The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

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

What are the income limits?

Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income limits per Shelby County DPA program design; range $98,314 to $113,061 reflects upper household-size brackets (covering up to 120% AMI Memphis MSA in some tiers). Verify current schedule with Shelby County Department of Housing.
• 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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $400,000.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium, townhouse, PUD, 2-unit (1 unit owner-occupied), manufactured home on permanent foundation.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Down Payment Assistance Program names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses 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?

Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Shelby County, Tennessee.

How do you apply?

Applications for Down Payment Assistance 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 HUD-approved housing counseling agency required. Local providers include United Housing, Inc., The Works, Inc. Online via eHome America accepted..

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Apply through Shelby County Department of Housing; subject to annual HOME / CDBG allocation., 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.