WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance)
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, administered by Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A completed homebuyer education course, through 8 hours counseling with a Milwaukee HUD-Certified HBCA (Acts Housing, HRI, United Community Center)
- Must work with one of three Milwaukee HUD-certified HBCAs (Acts Housing, HRI, United Community Center). Confirm current tier amounts and funding availability with a participating HBCA.
- A home in Milwaukee County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- New construction
- Households above 100% of area median income
- Homes outside Milwaukee County
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
100% of Milwaukee County’s area median income
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Milwaukee County’s homesMilwaukee County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 45.2% single-familysingle-family
- 4.4% townhousetownhouse
- 22.4% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 27.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.5% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$230,700
Milwaukee County median home value
78.8%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Milwaukee County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through 8 hours counseling with a Milwaukee HUD-Certified HBCA (Acts Housing, HRI, United Community Center).
Contact Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.
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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance)?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, administered by Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County. The WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) provides forgivable grants up to $8,000 to income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing in Milwaukee County. Two funding tiers serve households at or below 60% and 100% AMI. Funds are forgiven over three years of owner-occupancy. Borrowers complete 8 hours of counseling with a Milwaukee HUD-certified HBCA. Up to $8,000 forgivable grant. Forgiven over 3 years. Two income tiers (60% and 100% AMI). Stackable with other Milwaukee programs. Funding comes from Milwaukee County; private/philanthropic funders via CDA.
How much assistance does it provide?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) offers up to $8,000 in assistance. Award tiers: Two tiers: up to $8,000 for households <=60% AMI; lower tier for households <=100% AMI. The program can be combined with Milwaukee Home DPA, HCRI, Downpayment Plus, WHEDA programs. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) is forgiven after 3 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Property no longer primary residence or sold before 3 years. 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?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through 8 hours counseling with a Milwaukee HUD-Certified HBCA (Acts Housing, HRI, United Community Center). Must work with one of three Milwaukee HUD-certified HBCAs (Acts Housing, HRI, United Community Center). Confirm current tier amounts and funding availability with a participating HBCA.
What are the income limits?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Two tiers: at or below 60% AMI and at or below 100% AMI. 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?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) can be used for Single Family, 2-4 Unit, and Condo. New construction is not eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) serves homebuyers purchasing in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. The program targets specific areas: Home within Milwaukee County; first-time = not owning within last 3 years.
How do you apply?
Applications for WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program (Community Development Alliance) go through Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Milwaukee County homebuyersOther programs open to Milwaukee County homebuyers
- Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $7,000
- WHEDA Capital Access Advantage DPAUp to $7,500
- WHEDA Tax Advantage (Mortgage Credit Certificate / MCC)Up to $2,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 70 programs for Milwaukee CountyProgram terms are set by Community Development Alliance (CDA) / Milwaukee County and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.