HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program

APPLICATION LAUNCH DATE

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm and end on Thursday, October 31, 2024 

at 11:59 pm (or until 30 applications have been submitted)

HOME Investment Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Program

ALLOCATION: $2,500,000                                                                               MAXIMUM AWARD: $100,000

HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM SUMMARY:  Funding will assist income eligible applicants to acquire their first home (including acquisition, acquisition/rehabilitation, new construction, down payment and closing costs) that will be used as their primary place of residence.

Household Size and Eligible Income Categories to be Served:

APPLICANT SELECTION CRITERIA: Thirty (30) applications will be available online by visiting the website at pbcgov.com/HED beginning Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm.  Applications will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: At the time of application submittal, the following documents must be provided for ALL adult household members:

• Copy of Pre-Approval Letter from a First Mortgage Lender (Mandatory)
• Copy of valid Drivers' License or State Identification for ALL adult household members
• Copy of U.S. Birth Certificates or valid U.S. Passport or Naturalization Certificate for all household members. For all Non-U.S. Citizen household members provide a copy of a valid Permanent Resident Card
• Copy of current Verification of Employment​ ​(VOE) completed and signed by employer within 30 days of submission of application (Preferred) (OR) copy of most recent paycheck stubs for a 30 day period for ALL working adult household members
  
• Copy of most recent Social Security, Retirement and/or Disability Award Letter for ALL household members
• If an adult student is employed – copy of current class schedule
• If unemployed, a copy of unemployment benefits statement (OR) a completed Unemployment Affidavit​ for ALL household members
• Wage Earner Statement from Social Security Administration for ALL unemployed adult household members
• If self-employed provide a completed YTD Profit and Loss (P & L) Statement for ALL adult household members AND most recent three (3) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS (OR) current 1099 Income earner AND most recent three (3) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS
• Documentation of court ordered child support
• Copy of legal documentation for adoption, divorce, battered spouse & restraining order
• Completed Verification of Deposit (VOD) (Preferred) for ALL current accounts (checking, savings, CD, Investment, Whole life insurance, Stocks and Bonds, ) for all adult household members (OR) copy of most recent bank statements
• Most recent two (2) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS and W2s/1099s (Mark out the first five digits of your social security number before submitting)
• Certificate of Completion for Homebuyer Education from a HUD Certified Counseling Agency or Neighborworks America (OR) Documentation of an upcoming scheduled appointment
• County's Eight (8) Hour Homebuyer Education Counseling Certification form​ completed by the Counseling Agency's Representative

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The property's purchase price cannot exceed $568,557
  

• First Time Homebuyer under the HUD definition: An individual who has no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property. This provision is limited to a spouse (if either meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers). A single parent who has only owned with a former spouse while married. An individual who is a displaced homemaker and has only owned with a spouse. An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations. An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or model building codes and which cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

• Funds will be awarded as a 0% interest deferred payment loan secured by a recorded Mortgage, Promissory Note and Declaration of Restriction for 30 years.  The loan is forgiven at the end of the 30-year term.
  

• Pre-Application Orientation - Before submitting an application, applicants may attend one of the Virtual Pre-Application Orientations listed below:
• Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 am
• Friday, September 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm
• Friday, October 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm
• Monday, October 7, 2024 at 10:00 am

The Mandatory Orientation Meeting WebEx link is:

https://pbc-gov.webex.com/pbc-gov/j.php?MTID=m24e1055929358bf22ad016d83295d2d9

(OR) Dial (904) 900-2303 to join by phone

Meeting number (access code) 2313 066 5492– Password: 5CAnQTPun67

For additional information, please contact:

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

100 Australian Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL  33406

Telephone: (561) 233-3600 Receptionist or Antoinette Prescott (561) 233-3606 or Rommel Sankhi (561) 233-3693

Email: HEDverify@pbcgov.org