DPA Program Eligibility

Borrowers must meet all requirements listed below to qualify for the program. If you have additional eligibility questions, please reach out to us to discuss.

Eligibility

• Borrower must not currently own property or have not purchased a property in the past three years, consistent with the FHA definition of a first-time homebuyer.
• Program assistance is for the purchase of a primary residence only.
  
• Borrower must qualify for a conventional mortgage, and the mortgage lender must be willing to accept the terms of the Homes by CFE Down Payment Assistance loan. In order to process your preapplication, potential borrowers should have a pre-approval from a mortgage lender. 
• Borrower must be at or below 120% Median Family Income (MFI) as defined by the DC and Maryland Departments of Housing and Community Development, to qualify for assistance. See the current MFI income limits here for DC and here for Maryland. 
• Borrower’s income must be below 100% AMI to qualify for the $10,000 additional purchase assistance.
• Borrower may not have any charge offs or delinquencies in the previous six months.
• Borrower’s total debt to income ration including their monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 45%.
• After the loan closes, the borrower may not have more than six months of cash reserves. Cash reserves are defined as mortgage payment plus taxes and insurance. (This does not include 401ks.)
• Borrower must identify as Black and/or Latinx. (Find out more about  Special Purpose Credit Programs.)
• Home purchase price must be under $625,000. This figure is reviewed annually.
  
• Borrower must complete the Homes by CFE homebuyer orientation before finalizing  program eligibility. 
• Property must be in the District of Columbia or Prince George’s County, Charles County or Baltimore City and County
• Borrower must participate in homeownership counseling and provide a certificate of completion to Homes by CFE prior to closing on your home purchase.