Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP)

Closed

N.C. Office of Recovery & ResiliencyNCFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Can provide up to twenty to thirty percent of the home purchase price capped at thirty thousand dollars for down payment assistance plus customary closing costs up to roughly five percent of the sales price, all as a zero percent interest deferred second loan for eligible disaster impacted buyers.ReBuild NC disaster recovery assistance funded with CDBG DR dollars that provides a zero percent interest deferred loan covering a percentage of the purchase price up to thirty thousand dollars plus eligible closing costs for buyers in most impacted and distressed counties.FixedDeadline: Sep 26, 2024Scope: Regionalstate

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

Disaster-recovery homeownership assistance providing substantial down payment and closing cost support to first-time and first-generation buyers in hurricane-impacted North Carolina communities.

Benefits

down payment assistanceclosing cost assistancedisaster recovery0% interestdeferred loanstate programfirst-generation buyer

Who Can Apply

homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerfirst-generation homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyereastern North Carolina resident

Eligible Locations

First time or first generation homebuyers purchasing a primary residence in one of sixteen HUD designated most impacted and distressed eastern North Carolina counties who have income at or below one hundred twenty percent of area median income, contribute at least five hundred dollars of their own funds, obtain fixed rate mortgage pre approval, complete HUD approved homebuyer education, and meet all property and program guidelines.

Eligibility

First-time or first-generation homebuyers purchasing a primary residence in one of 16 HUD-designated “Most Impacted and Distressed” eastern North Carolina counties; must have income at or below 120% AMI, be lawfully present with at least one U.S. citizen in the household, contribute at least $500 of their own funds, obtain fixed-rate mortgage pre-approval, complete HUD-approved homebuyer education, and meet all property and program guidelines.

Full Description

The ReBuild NC Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) is a disaster recovery initiative funded through federal CDBG-DR dollars to help low- and moderate-income households become homeowners in communities hit hardest by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. Eligible buyers can receive up to 20–30% of the purchase price (capped at $30,000) toward down payment, plus reasonable and customary closing costs up to about 5% of the sales price. To qualify, applicants must be first-time or first-generation homebuyers purchasing in one of the 16 designated “Most Impacted and Distressed” counties, have income at or below 120% AMI, obtain a fixed-rate mortgage, complete free pre-purchase homebuyer education and counseling, and contribute at least $500 of their own funds to the transaction. While the program paused acceptance of new interest forms on September 26, 2024, it remains an important reference model for long-term, resilience-focused homeownership assistance in storm-damaged regions. (rebuild.nc.gov)

Verification & Details

Status: Closed

Source: rebuild.nc.gov

Official source → rebuild.nc.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

Recommended Resource

First-Time Homebuyer Starter Pack (2025 Edition)

A complete first-time homebuyer toolkit: 9 checklists, timelines, grant guidance, worksheets + editable Excel/Google Sheet budget & affordability calculator.

first-time homebuyerhomebuyer starter packhome buying checklistbudget templategoogle sheet budgetdown payment assistancehomeownership toolkitdigital downloadPDF workbookaffordability calculator

View digital guide Buy now

More statewide programs

Explore additional grants available throughout North Carolina that complement this opportunity.

City of Greenville – Down Payment Assistance Programs

Open

City of Greenville – Community Development DivisionNCFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Greenville down payment assistance combining a ten percent no interest loan and a twenty percent HOME grant, calculated as a percentage of the home purchase price for eligible buyers in designated target areas.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Suite of down payment and closing cost assistance options in Greenville, NC, combining a 0% interest loan and HOME grant funds to help first-time buyers purchase in targeted neighborhoods.

Eligible for: Low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied home within designated target areas inside Greenville city limits…

Funding: Provides assistance as a ten percent no interest loan plus a twenty percent HOME grant based on the purchase price, reducing both cash needed at closing and the long term cost of ownership for eligible homes in Greenville target areas.Deadline: Rolling, first-come, first-served while local program funds are availableRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerGreenville residentdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance0% interestHOME granttarget-area incentivecity programdeferred loan

View details →

NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ & Home Buyer Programs

Open

North Carolina Housing Finance AgencyNCFirst-Time HomeownerNC Home Advantage Mortgage pairs thirty year fixed rate FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans with built in down payment assistance that is structured as a subordinate second loan and may be forgiven according to program rules.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

NCHFA’s NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ program offers affordable fixed-rate mortgages with built-in down payment assistance for first-time and repeat buyers across North Carolina.

Eligible for: First-time and move-up home buyers in North Carolina who meet NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ credit, income, and purchase-price requirements an…

Funding: Offers down payment assistance up to three percent of the loan amount for eligible buyers and connects first time buyers and veterans to the fixed fifteen thousand dollar NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment option when they qualify.Deadline: Rolling, while NCHFA programs and bond-funded assistance remain availableRollingStatewidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyermove-up homebuyerveteran homebuyerlow-income homebuyerNorth Carolina residentdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancesecond mortgageforgivable loanaffordable mortgagestate HFA loanbond program

View details →

NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

Open

North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)NCFirst-Time HomeownerFlat fifteen thousand dollar zero percent interest deferred second mortgage that is forgiven over years eleven through fifteen when the buyer keeps the home as a primary residence.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

North Carolina’s NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program provides a flat $15,000 in down payment help for qualifying first-time buyers and veterans using an NC Home Advantage Mortgage™.

Eligible for: First-time home buyers and eligible military veterans in North Carolina who qualify for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage™, meet income and purc…

Funding: Provides a flat fifteen thousand dollars in down payment assistance as a zero percent interest deferred second mortgage that is fully forgiven by year fifteen for buyers who remain in the home.Deadline: Rolling, subject to funding and NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ availabilityRollingStatewidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerveteran homebuyerlow-income homebuyerNorth Carolina residentdown payment assistance0% interestdeferred loanforgivable loansecond mortgagestate HFA loanveteran benefit

View details →

City of Raleigh Homebuyer Assistance Program

Open

City of Raleigh Housing & Neighborhoods DepartmentNCFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Raleigh zero interest deferred payment second mortgage that covers down payment and closing costs up to forty five thousand dollars in most areas of the city and up to sixty thousand dollars in designated target areas.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Raleigh’s Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $45,000–$60,000 in zero-interest deferred loans to help first-time buyers overcome down payment and closing cost barriers.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied home within Raleigh city limits who meet income limits, property price caps, and credit g…

Funding: Offers zero interest deferred loans up to forty five thousand dollars in most areas of Raleigh and up to sixty thousand dollars in designated target areas to cover down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers.Deadline: Rolling, first-come first-served while program funding is availableRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerRaleigh residentdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance0% interestdeferred loancity programtarget-area incentivelarge assistance amount

View details →

City of Durham Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program

Open

City of Durham Community Development DepartmentNCFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Durham down payment and closing cost assistance structured as a zero percent interest forgivable loan that can provide up to eighty thousand dollars for qualified first time buyers.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Durham’s Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $80,000 in 0% interest forgivable assistance to help first-time buyers purchase homes within the city.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence within Durham city limits who meet HUD-based income limits, property and purchase-price…

Funding: Provides up to eighty thousand dollars in down payment and closing cost assistance as a zero percent interest forgivable loan that can significantly reduce the first mortgage amount and monthly housing costs for income eligible households.Deadline: Rolling, subject to annual funding allocations and program guidelinesRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerDurham residentdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance0% interestforgivable loancity programlarge assistance amount

View details →