The Santa Fe County Downpayment Assistance Program page explains that the County provides zero-percent, non-amortizing deferred-payment loans to income-qualified buyers. Assistance is tiered by household income: households at or under 65% of area median income (AMI) may receive up to $20,000, those at 65–80% AMI up to $15,000, and those at 80–100% AMI up to $10,000. Funds are delivered as a subordinate loan secured by a note and mortgage prepared by Affordable Housing Program staff and signed by the recipient at closing. The loan is deferred and non-amortizing, meaning borrowers make no monthly payments; instead, the balance is typically due upon sale, transfer, or refinance according to County affordability-period rules. To qualify, applicants must be first-time homebuyers, complete homebuyer education, secure mortgage loan approval pending County assistance, prepare a realistic household budget, and submit a detailed application covering income, the property being purchased, and the proposed first mortgage. County staff review each file for completeness and program fit, then submit it to a Loan Review Committee, which makes the final decision on assistance awards. The page links to English and Spanish application packets and lists Affordable Housing Program staff contacts, positioning this program as a key local resource for down payment assistance in Santa Fe County and a strong SEO target for searches like “Santa Fe County down payment assistance,” “0% deferred loans for first-time buyers,” and “affordable housing programs Santa Fe.”