Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance

What is Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Douglas; Ashland; Bayfield; Burnett; Iron; Price; Rusk; Sawyer; Taylor; Washburn County, Wisconsin, administered by Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC).

• The Northwest Regional Planning Commission's Regional Housing Program (Housing Cost Reduction Initiative) provides down payment and closing-cost assistance to income-eligible renters purchasing a home in its 10-county region. Assistance is a 0% interest deferred-payment loan of up to 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed 50% of the requested down payment, secured by a mortgage and deferred while the borrower owns and occupies the home as a primary residence. City of Superior residents are served under a separate HOME program.
• 0% interest deferred-payment loan.
• Up to 10% of purchase price toward down payment.
• Covers eligible closing costs.
• No payments while owner-occupied.
• Funding comes from Wisconsin DOA Housing Cost Reduction Initiative (HCRI), CDBG, and HOME via WI Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources.

How much assistance does it provide?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance provides assistance worth 10% of the purchase price, as set by the program.

• Buyer contribution: Program provides up to 50% of the down payment; borrower funds the remainder.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Repaid when the borrower ceases to own/occupy the home as a primary residence, or on sale or transfer (deferred-payment mortgage).
• 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?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household gross income must be below HUD income limits (~80% AMI). 2025 HUD limits — Douglas County: 1=$56,350; 2=$64,400; 3=$72,450; 4=$80,500; 5=$86,950; 6=$93,400; 7=$99,850; 8=$106,300. Other 9 counties (Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Washburn): 1=$52,000; 2=$59,400; 3=$66,850; 4=$74,250; 5=$80,200; 6=$86,150; 7=$92,100; 8=$98,050. Includes income of all members 18+ except full-time students under 22.
• 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?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Douglas; Ashland; Bayfield; Burnett; Iron; Price; Rusk; Sawyer; Taylor; Washburn County, Wisconsin.

• The program targets specific areas: Douglas County (excluding City of Superior) plus Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn Counties, WI.

How do you apply?

Applications for Northwest Regional Housing Program - Homebuyer (HCRI) Down Payment Assistance go through Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Contact Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Application through NWRPC; subject to fund availability; applicant preferably pre-approved for a mortgage., and are subject to availability.

2. 2

   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.