Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC)
Up to $75,000 toward a down payment in PA.
Turn the Key is a PHDC program under Mayor Parker's H.O.M.E. Initiative that builds new homes on formerly city-owned vacant land and sells them to income-eligible first-time homebuyers at below-market prices. Eligible buyers can receive up to $75,000 in mortgage buydown assistance — secured by a 20-year forgivable note recorded against the property — plus up to $10,000 from the Philly First Home grant for down payment and settlement costs. Buyers must earn no more than 100% of AMI, finance through an approved Turn the Key lender, and complete City-funded one-on-one homeownership counseling before signing an Agreement of Sale. Resale is restricted to other income-qualified buyers; the Philadelphia Land Bank recalculates the price on a sale within 15 years. After year 20, once the soft mortgage is satisfied, the home may be sold at full value.
Short reads on how it works, in plain language. Free, no sign-up needed to read.
Free course from Hey Prescott
A short, free course on Turn the Key: what it is, who it is for, when it is repaid, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.
5 modules · About 10 minutes
Program details are sourced from public agency data and may change. Confirm eligibility with a Hey Prescott loan officer before applying.