Homeownership Assistance Program

Housing Authority staff helps interested participants find an appropriate mortgage lender and work with the participant through the process of buying a home. In order to qualify to participate in the Homeownership Assistance Program, a person must:

  • Reside in San Bernardino County for at least 1 year before applying to the program.
  • Participate at least 1-year in the Housing Choice Voucher Program or Public Housing Program.
  • Be in good standing with the Housing Authority.
  • Have no previous home ownership history within the past 3 years.
  • Must be currently employed full time for at least 2 years earning more than $10,300 a year (2000 hours at Federal minimum wage). This requirement does not apply to disabled or elderly (62 years or older) participants.
  • Be credit worthy to secure their own mortgage financing through a lender, including no outstanding collection accounts, judgments or liens and at least 2 years since the discharge of a bankruptcy.
  • Have a gross household income of at least 2 times the HACSB payment standard for the unit size (this requirement does not apply to disabled or elderly participants).
  • Can contribute a total down payment of 3% of the purchase price. The program requires at least 1% of the down payment must come from the participant. The other 2% can be gifts, contributions and grants.

Once the family/individual has met the above homeownership eligibility criteria the home purchasers must complete a minimum of 8 hours of homebuyer’s education from a HUD-approved counseling program.

For more information, please refer to the Homeownership Assistance Program Factsheet or contact Angela Joyner.