Down Payment Assistance

The Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center offers a variety of programs to help with the down payment and closing costs for both first time and repeat home buyers. Our assistance includes a variety of grants and are offered to low to moderate income individuals and families. All of our assistance programs require that the buyer occupies the home being purchased as their primary residence and that they utilize an approved lender. The Homeownership and Asset Development Center of C-SCDC provides down payment assistance to over 75 homebuyers each year. The clients must attend a C-SCDC Homebuyer Education class and participate in one-on-one budget counseling.

Note: Not all requirements are listed below. Please complete an application in order to be approved for assistance.

 

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Some of the Down Payment Assistance programs available are:

Fort Smith Homebuyers Assistance Program

  • Must be purchasing in the city limits of Fort Smith
  • Up to $10,000 forgivable loan
  • NO REPAYMENT as long as client lives in the home for 5 years (no interest/no payment)
  • No first time homebuyer requirement
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • The City of Fort Smith will do an inspection on the property at no expense to buyer or seller.  If home is built before 1978, the house will also be visually inspected for lead based paint
  • Must use an approved lender
  • Must be under "Low Income Guidelines"
  • Homebuyer counseling class (8 hours) is required: Click here and use coupon code HOME50
  • Purchase price limit of $142,000
  • Must pay $500 out-of-pocket

American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI Program)

  • Purpose of loan - Downpayment and closing costs
  • Amounts up to 10% of the purchase price not exceeding $10,000 forgivable loan
  • Must be a first-time homebuyer
  • No citizenship requirement
  • Income Limits - must be under "Low Income Guidelines"
  • Homebuyer counseling class (8 hours) is required: Click here and use coupon code HOME50
  • NO REPAYMENT as long as client lives in the home for 5 years (no interest/no payment)
  • Ask Lender about MORTGAGE CREDIT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 
    • Good for the life of the loan
    • up to $2000 tax credit per year based on the amount of interest paid annually

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (HELP FUNDS)


  • Up to $8500 forgivable grant
  • NO REPAYMENT as long as client lives in the homes for 5 years (no interest/no payment)
  • Income Limits - must be under "Low Income Guidelines"
  • Homebuyer counseling class (8 hours) is required: Click here and use coupon code HOME50
  • Must be a first time homebuyer
  • No citizenship required
  • Homebuyer must contribute $500 out-of-pocket