Programs for Homebuyers

DC residents or those employed by the DC government, who would like to utilize downpayment and closing cost assistance    from the DC government, to help make their home purchase more affordable should schedule an appointment with HCS to apply  for DC’s Home Purchase Assistance Program, Employer Assisted Housing Program, Metropolitan Police Housing Assistance Program or Home Purchase Assistance Step-up Program,  If they meet program eligibility criteria and are ready to buy within    the next three to four months.  Clients are encouraged to attend HCS’s free Pre-Purchase Orientation training session before scheduling an appointment to apply for DC’s home purchase assistance.  Those who are approved for these programs will be required to participate in HCS’s homeownership training course, which consists of an all-day training class on the homebuying process, an individual counseling session and the completion of three homework assignments.

District of Columbia Homestead Preservation Program

The Homestead Housing Preservation program enables first-time homebuyers to purchase tax delinquent real properties and       Department of Housing and Community Development foreclosures  for as little as $250 per unit. In exchange, the homebuyer             must complete a homeownership training course, rehabilitate the property, reside in the property for a minimum of five years,               and return it to  the real property tax rolls. Low and moderate-income participants receive a $10,000 deferred mortgage to assist        them with gap financing.

The Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) and Moderate Income Homeownership Program (MIHP) are designed to assist low and moderate income families in purchasing a home located  within the corporate limits of the City of Alexandria. Qualified applicants can     receive assistance in the form of a no-interest, 99-year deferred payment loan for principal reduction, down payment and/or closing cost assistance.

Women’s Homeownership Initiative (WHI)

Housing Counseling Services developed and implemented the Women’s Homeownership Initiative (WHI) to assist low-income women and women-headed households in the Washington, DC Metropolitan region.  The WHI is part of a multi-year initiative sponsored in part by the Washington Area Women’s Foundation with the goal of increasing wealth accumulation for low-income, single mothers, particularly those residing in underserved sections of the District of Columbia and other hard to reach communities.  Through the process of home purchase preparation, women increase savings, decrease debt, improve their credit, and develop a sustainable financial plan in order to build a more stable future for themselves and their children.

 

Housing Counseling Services has built on its current homeownership programs for low- and moderate-income families--training, education, and counseling--by expanding outreach and direct services to the target population.  In addition, by applying a gender lens to our existing programs and services, the WHI has identified ways to better reach and serve the target population.  Housing Counseling Services partners with community-based organizations and social service agencies that provide assistance to the target population.  Workshops are conducted at emergency and transitional housing shelters, local family strengthening collaboratives, and health clinics.  In addition, outreach and housing education materials are distributed at community fairs, small businesses, and government offices.  When low-income women are empowered through comprehensive education, training, and counseling, many barriers to homeownership can be overcome. 

Housing Counseling Services
2410 17^th Street, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC  20009
Phone: (202) 667-7006
info@housingetc.org