Lending Program - Payment Assistance and Financial Education

We administer downpayment assistance and provide one-on-one counseling for eligible first-time homebuyers, including Hispanic homebuyers, military service members, veterans, law enforcement officers, charter and Pre-K-12th grade schoolteachers, paraprofessionals, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.

When purchasing a home, homebuyers should seek help from a qualified Realtor® (see our Preferred Realtor® list, including realtors that have completed the Workforce Housing Certificate Program through the Canopy Housing Foundation, and are familiar with working with first-time home buyers).

To help homebuyers, downpayment assistance loans are offered through CMHP Mortgage, Inc. These low-cost, below market interest rate programs require minimal investment (as little as $500) and offer flexible underwriting guidelines for qualified customers who have completed Homeownership Education and one-on-one counseling. The CMHP Mortgage, Inc. program can also be used with the HouseCharlotte Lending Program and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Community Partners Loan Pool Program.

Also, note the following:

Eligibility is based on total household size and income, as well as property location.
Downpayment assistance can be used for the downpayment and/or closing cost. Restrictions may apply.

To learn more, read below and check out Featured Programs on the right.

Down Payment Assistance Loan Options

HouseCharlotte Program – The Housing Partnership administers the City of Charlotte’s HouseCharlotte Down Payment Assistance Program, as well as the Community Heroes Program.
Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) – The Housing Partnership is a member of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s CPLP. This membership enables us to reserve CPLP at zero percent interest rate, deferred, second mortgage financing for individuals requiring up to 20% (of the purchase price of the home) in down payment assistance. A borrower’s total household income must be 80% or below Area Median Income (AMI). Requirements also include homeownership education, one-on-one counseling and a minimum 640 credit score. Please call 704-342-0933, or email cplp@cmhp.org for more information.

Featured Programs

CMHP Mortgage, Inc.

CMHP Mortgage, Inc. is the nonprofit lending arm of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc. CMHP Mortgage, Inc. is HUD-approved to provide Subordinate financing, and we also certified as a CDFI, Community Development Financial Institution. Our down payment assistance loans can be combined with other approved DPA, however we must be in either 2nd or 3rd lien position, depending on loan amount of other subordinate funds, and prior agreements. Borrowers must put a minimum of $500 of their own funds into the transaction. Flexible underwriting guidelines. No minimum credit score requirements. These funds are only accessible by our lending partners. Borrowers must complete homeownership education and one-on-one counseling through the Homeownership Center of Charlotte. Deferred/forgivable loan of up to $10,000 for eligible homebuyers with a household income of 80% or below Area Median Income/AMI. The home must be located within Mecklenburg County. Deferred/forgivable loan of up to $15,000 for INLIVIAN (formally the Charlotte Housing Authority) customers who have completed the Destination to Homeownership program and have a household income of 80% or below AMI. The home must be located within Mecklenburg County.

Deferred and Forgivable Loan Program for Latino Homebuyers

(all other loan options also available)

CDFI initiative –Deferred/Forgivable loan offering of up to $15,000 for Hispanic homebuyers with a household income of 80% or below AMI. The home must be located within Mecklenburg County.

Learn more in
English Version

Spanish Version

NeighborhoodLIFT

Provides down payment assistance and financial education to homebuyers.

As part of the NeighborhoodLIFT Program, we partner with Wells Fargo and NeighborWorks America™ by delivering down payment assistance and financial education to homebuyers. Eligible homebuyers may receive $15,000 in down payment assistance on qualified properties. Please note, an additional $2,500, totaling $17,500, is available for veterans and service members, and Community Heroes, including teachers, paraprofessionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.

To Learn More click here

The Housing Partnership reserves the right to make changes to its loan programs and terms.

A sample loan program from the Homeownership Center of Charlotte. Purchase price of $165,700. Est. monthly payment including taxes and insurances – $965.00. Est. funds to close – $1301.12. First mortgage – $149,130, 3.75%, 30 yr., fixed rate. Second mortgage – $10,000, 4.693% APR, 10 yr. deferred/forgivable., fixed rate. HouseCharlotte Third mortgage – $10,000 3% interest rate. Forgiven after 10 years if loan terms are met. Subordinate loan programs available based on home selection and borrower’s household income. Borrower must provide proof of eligibility and qualify with loan underwriting guidelines. Completion of Homeownership Center of Charlotte program is required. The Housing Partnership reserves the right to make changes to its loan programs, terms and offerings without notice. (1/30/2020)