Pre-Purchase Assistance
Program Overview
We combine pre-purchase counseling with financial assistance (down payment or match savings programs) to help eligible, low- income, first time homebuyers open the door to homeownership.
Housing Solutions is a HUD approved housing counseling agency. Our Housing Counselors are HUD certified, and are trained and certified through NeighborWorks. Through confidential, one-on-one assistance we help families in northern Arizona prepare for homeownership and navigate the purchase process.
How to Apply
To apply for any of our down payment/closing assistance or homeownership programs, we ask that you:
1. Download, complete and return the correct pre-purchase application below. You can submit your completed application to Angela Koder, our Housing Programs Manager:
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Via email (angelak@housingnaz.org)
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Via mail to Housing Solutions NAZ at PO Box 30134, Flagstaff, AZ 86003
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Dropping it off at our office, located at 1500 E Cedar Ave Ste 86, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
2. Once Angela receives your completed application, she will reach out to schedule a one-on-one housing counseling appointment to discuss our programs and answer your home-purchase questions. We do NOT need you to submit supporting documentation (paystubs, bank statements, etc.) for the initial meeting. If you move forward with program eligibility, Angela will request documents, including verification of income and household size.
Pre-Purchase Applications
Program Details
Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH)
The WISH Program is an initiative funded by the FHLBank SanFrancisco which provides up to $30,000 in matching funds, through its participating member institutions, to qualified, low-income residents to be used towards downpayment or closing costs. Download the flyer below to learn more about this program.
City of Flagstaff Employer Assisted Housing (EAH)
The City of Flagstaff will provide up to $20,000 per household to eligible employees to be used for down payment and/or closing cost on the purchase of a home. Download the flyer below to learn more.
Commissioned Law Enforcement and Detention Officer Retention Program
Coconino County has a “Home Purchase Assistance Option” (HPAO) which allows eligible officers to borrow against their Program Individual Trust Investment Account to help off-set the up-front costs of homeownership (down payment and closing costs).
Community Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP)
The Community Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) is intended to educate and serve households that are working towards the purchase of a home within the Flagstaff city limits. Funded by the City of Flagstaff, CHAP is a downpayment and closing cost assistance initiative that provides up to $40,000 in matching funds to households that do not have sufficient cash to purchase a home, but are otherwise mortgage eligible based on credit & employment. Download the flyer below to learn more.
Flagstaff Affordable Homeownership Program
The City’s Affordable Ownership Programs allow low to moderate income households to access homeownership through a shared equity model. In exchange for an affordable purchase price, homeowners agree to limit their equity so that the next qualified buyer can benefit from an affordable sales price. This agreement is secured through either a ground lease between the City and the homeowner or a deed restriction placed onto the unit.
Arizona is Home Down Payment Assistance Program
Housing Solutions has partnered with Trellis to administer Arizona is Home down payment assistance program funds in Coconino, Mohave, and Yavapai counties. Read through the program flyer linked to below for program details.
Sedona and Cottonwood Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Programs
The Cities of Sedona and Cottonwood have recently launched down payment and closing cost assistance programs to help their workforce open the door to homeownership. Each City’s program guidelines are slightly different, but are available to employees who for the city or those who work within city limits. In Sedona, first time Verde Valley homebuyers can receive up to $25,000 in assistance, if they qualify for the program. In Cottonwood, first time Verde Valley homebuyers can receive $10,000 to $20,000 in assistance, depending on specific household income and household size. The programs are designed to assist households with the up-front costs of homeownership, but are otherwise mortgage eligible based on credit and employment. Interested applicants must complete the application and can schedule a one-on-one housing counseling appointment with a HUD-certified housing counselor.
Cottonwood Employer Assisted Housing Program (C-EAH)
Cottonwood Homeownership Program (CHP)
Sedona Workforce Homeownership Assistance Program (SWHAP)
Sedona Employer Assisted Homeownership Program (S-EAH)
Online Homebuyer Education Course
In addition to in-person counseling, we offer online homebuyer education courses in both English and Spanish! The fee is $99 per household, which is determined by eHomeAmerica, the course vendor. The course is approximately 8 hours, and is set-up so that you can stop and conveniently return to your saved course section.
We offer a discount coupon code to clients who participate in our one-on-one housing counseling. Clients with a coupon code are charged $50 for the course.
Register for the online homebuyer education course, learn at your own pace, and earn your Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate is processed and emailed to you within 1-2 business days.
Fees
Fees to pull a Tri-Merge Credit Report with scores are $14.50 per individual on a cost-recovery basis.
The Online Homebuyer Education Course fee (see above) is $99 per household, which is determined by eHomeAmerica, the course vendor. We offer a discount coupon code to clients who participate in our one-on-one housing counseling. Clients with a coupon code are charged $50 for the course.