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City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program

City of La Crosse, Community Development & Housing (Planning, Development & Assessment Dept.) · La Crosse, Wisconsin

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$25,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$267,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is a grant for homebuyers in La Crosse, Wisconsin, administered by City of La Crosse, Community Development & Housing (Planning, Development & Assessment Dept.).

  • ARPA-funded grant program helping first-time homebuyers purchase a home within the City of La Crosse achieve an affordable mortgage payment. Grant amount is tiered by household income (as a percentage of the purchase price) up to a maximum of $25,000.
  • Grant up to 20% of purchase price for buyers at <=80% CMI; up to 15% for 81-100% CMI; up to 10% for 101-120% CMI. Maximum grant $25,000.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

How much assistance does it provide?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of La Crosse, Community Development & Housing (Planning, Development & Assessment Dept.) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by failure to maintain owner-occupancy during 5- or 10-year deed restriction period.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance 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
  • Must be a first-time homebuyer as defined by HUD. Home must be in the City of La Crosse. Maximum total cash assets of $25,000. Applicant must contribute $1,000 or 1% of purchase price (whichever is greater). Mortgage interest rate may not exceed 2% above the national average. Cannot be combined with other DPA grant or forgivable loan programs. Ineligible properties: land contracts, lease/rent-to-own, mobile homes, homes outside the City. 5-year owner-occupied deed restriction for grants $1-$15,000; 10-year for grants $15,001-$25,000.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $267,000 price cap
  • Households above 120% 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?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income at or below 120% of County Median Income (CMI); grant tier set by income band (<=80%, 81-100%, 101-120%).
  • 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?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $267,000.

Where does it apply?

City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Wisconsin.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program go through City of La Crosse, Community Development & Housing (Planning, Development & Assessment Dept.), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact City of La Crosse, Community Development & Housing (Planning, Development & Assessment Dept.) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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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