Down payment Assistance

Bridging the "Affordability Gap"

Many people face challenges to home ownership. Maybe you are caught in a renters trap you can afford a house payment, but are having a hard time saving funds for down payment and closing costs. Or, you may face an "affordability gap" the amount of a loan you qualify for isn't high enough to purchase a home in your area.

MBOH partners with several groups statewide to address these challenges. Our partners include cities, counties, non-profits, lenders, employers and others who are willing to step in and help make home ownership happen. These housing partners apply to MBOH for funding, called set-aside funds. How it works is, you take out a loan from a local lender for what you qualify for, and the housing partner loans you the balance needed to purchase a home. The interest rate on our set-aside loans is currently 5.5%, which helps your purchasing power go farther. The various partners are able to contribute anywhere from $1,500 to $40,000, depending on your need, location, and their program limitations. The partner's help can be a second loan that requires payments, or the payment on these second loans may be deferred until you sell your home. It is important for you to know that these are loans, and not grants. Down the road when you sell your home, the non-profit gets paid off, and can use that money again to help someone else buy a home.

Each of these special programs has their own guidelines as to income limits and other special requirements. All our housing partners require homebuyer education classes prior to committing their help, and information about local programs is given out at each class. A listing of upcoming classes can be found http://www.nwmt.org/ .

Application for these programs is made through our network of MBOH lenders. Your loan officer will qualify you for the loan, and coordinate the necessary down payment assistance with our housing partners.

Geographic Area Name of Program

Statewide

 First Time Home Buyer Savings Account Program
Statewide NeighborWorks Montana
Bozeman, Gallatin, Madison, and Park County HRDC District IX
Missoula city, Ravalli, Missoula, and Mineral County HRDC Distric XI
Missoula city northside neighborhood Clark Fork Commons
Bridger Town of Bridger
City of Billings City of Billings
Ravalli County-Teachers only Teachers Program
Lake County Lake County
City of Lewistown HRDC VI Set-aside
Lewis and Clark and Jefferson County GR8 Hope
Town of Terry Town of Terry
Flathead, Lincoln, and Sanders County Glacier Affordable Housing Foundation


updated 6/5/08