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National Faith Homebuyer Program
What is the National Faith Homebuyer program, who is eligible, what are the requirements, and which wholesale lenders offer it?
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6 Replies
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National Faith Homebuyers collaborates with other non-profit organizations to provide Down Payment Assistance (DPA) and homebuyer education in metropolitan Detroit, Wayne County, surrounding regions, and Atlanta.
Program Overview
- National Faith Homebuyers, a HUD-approved non-profit organization, offers DPA, financial literacy education, and foreclosure prevention services to expand homeownership opportunities in the United States.
- DPA programs give 0% interest, forgivable second mortgages to help with down payments and closing costs.
In Wayne County, a specific program offers a second mortgage ranging from $13,999 to $14,999 at zero percent interest. The loan is forgiven after five years and is intended to support down payments and closing costs.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
Each sub-program and city imposes specific limits; however, several requirements are consistent across all programs: first-time or returning buyers who meet local guidelines.
- Applicants are required to purchase an owner-occupied property with one to four units in an eligible area, such as Detroit, Westland, Wayne County, or a Rehabbed & Ready home. Household income must fall below the published city or county income limits. In most cases, assets must not exceed specified thresholds; for example, some programs limit liquid assets to $10,000.
- Completion of homebuyer education and counseling through National Faith is required. Specific requirements vary by DPA program; however, most require borrowers to contribute a minimum of $ 1,000.
- The primary mortgage must permit secondary financing, such as through FHA loans or certain conventional loans. The housing ratio should range from 30% to 35%, and the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio must not exceed 43%.
- Properties must comply with HUD Housing Quality Standards and local building codes, as verified by a certified inspector.
- For the Rehabbed & Ready program in Detroit, the property must meet program qualifications, and the buyer must have resided in Detroit for at least 12 months.
- The amount of assistance and the loan forgiveness period vary by program. For instance, Rehabbed & Ready provides up to $50,000, whereas a typical county DPA offers $14,999, forgiven after five years.
Geographic Focus
- The primary service areas include Detroit, Wayne County (encompassing Detroit, Westland, Lincoln Park, Livonia, and additional municipalities), and Atlanta, Georgia.
The National Faith website provides information regarding partnerships with local agencies, including Wayne County, Westland, Rehabbed & Ready, the Detroit Land Bank Authority, and Rocket Community Fund. Additional details are available through links to American Home Lending.
On the National Faith website, from whom can I get a down payment assistance form?
National Faith offers down payment assistance but does not serve as a lender. The organization collaborates with lenders that permit secondary financing, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HomeFree, and Rocket Community Fund.
- Permits a secondary mortgage DPA non-profit as a second lien, and
- Complies with the DPA city or county program requirements
It is a compatible lender.
Contact National Faith to determine which lenders participate in the relevant city or county.
- Consult wholesale account executives to verify whether DPA is permitted as secondary financing for National Faith Homebuyers and to clarify applicable conditions.
For assistance in developing a script with talking points and checklist language for loan officers and processors regarding this program, provide the relevant state or county and the primary wholesale investors.
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How do I apply for NATIONAL FAITH HOMEBUYERS PROGRAM DPA?
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To receive down payment assistance (DPA) from National Faith Homebuyers, applicants must first confirm program eligibility, then submit a complete DPA application package and a signed purchase agreement.
1. Preparing for Program Eligibility
- Attend a National Faith information session or Fast Track workshop, and complete the required homebuyer education.
- Work with a lender to secure a first mortgage, either FHA or conventional, through a nonprofit DPA program that allows secondary financing.
- Obtain a purchase agreement for a property in an eligible city or area before submitting the DPA application.
2. How and when to apply
- To apply for National Faith’s down payment assistance, visit the application page and select the appropriate program, such as Wayne County, Westland, or Detroit. For Westland, Wayne County, Rehabbed & Ready, and other programs, download and complete the fillable PDF DPA application. Submit the completed application with all required supporting documents.
- To apply for Detroit’s citywide DPA, submit the application through the city’s Neighborly portal. Refer to the National Faith checklist to determine which documents are required for upload.
3. Commonly Required Borrower Documentation
Required documents may vary by program, but most National Faith DPA checklists include the following:
- Last 30–60 days of income for all household members.
- W-2s and tax returns from the previous year.
- Last 3 months of bank/asset statements.
- Completed DPA application (anyone 18+ signs).
- Copy of driver’s licenses (front and back) for everyone 18+.
- Copy of Social Security cards for all household members.
- Proof of completed homebuyer education.
- Signed program disclosures (lead disclosure, conflict of interest, residency attestation, etc., some notarized).
4. Lender and realtor items
National Faith also requires a lender and realtor package:
- From lender: 1003, LE, appraisal, flood determination, title commitment.
- From realtor: signed purchase agreement and EMD copy.
National Faith reviews submitted files and forwards them to the appropriate city, county, or program sponsor for final approval and fund reservation. The closing process typically takes about five business days.
5. Practical Loan Officer and Processor Workflow
Below is a recommended workflow for loan officers and processors:e borrower with a DPA-eligible product and confirm they meet NF income/area rules.
- Ensure the borrower attends the National Faith information session or completes the required education if it has not already been completed.
- Once the borrower has an accepted purchase agreement on an eligible property, obtain the correct National Faith DPA application and checklist. In accordance with Detroit and National Faith guidelines, submit a complete package to National Faith at least 5 business days before closing, preferably 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
If the location is specified, such as Detroit, a Wayne County suburb, Westland, or Rehabbed & Ready, prepare a one-page internal checklist and email template for loan officers or processors.
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I think you need to contact National Faith Homebuyers Program.
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For National Faith Homebuyers’ DPA, you generally need to be mortgage-qualified for a loan that allows secondary financing, keep your monthly mortgage payment at or below 31% of your household’s gross monthly income, complete the required homebuyer education, and have at least $1,000 of your own funds. You also must be buying a home in one of the eligible cities they fund, and the property must meet Housing Quality Standards.
Where to apply
You can apply through National Faith Homebuyers’ down payment applications page, but only after you meet the eligibility requirements and have an accepted purchase agreement on a property in an eligible city. They say you should submit the contact form on that page and their downpayment department will respond within 24–48 hours.
How to start
National Faith says you can call their Detroit office at (313) 255-9500 or Atlanta office at (678) 553-3770, or use the contact form on their DPA page to begin.
Important details
Their site lists eligible cities as changing based on availability, and it includes places such as Livonia, Westland, Lincoln Park, and several Wayne County communities. The program page also notes the Wayne County DPA loan is a fixed $13,999 for existing homes and is forgivable after five years at 0% interest.
If you want, I can also help you figure out whether your income, credit, and target city likely fit the program before you apply.
nationalfaith.org
Down Payment Assistance Program | National Faith Homebuyers
Down Payment Loan | Forgivable After 5 Years | 0% Interest | Partnered with Michigan State Housing Development Authority | Contact for More Information
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You can contact National Faith Homebuyers directly and ask for their lender list through their main office numbers or contact page. Their contact page lists Detroit/Westland at (313) 255-9500 and Atlanta at (678) 553-3770, and their site also says you can fill out the contact form for more information.
Best way to ask
Say something like: “I’m looking for the approved lender list for National Faith’s down payment assistance program. Which lenders or loan officers can I use?” Their DPA page says the loan must allow secondary financing, so asking for the lender list is the right next step.
Contact details
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Detroit: (313) 255-9500.
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Westland: 313.255.9500.
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Atlanta: (678) 553-3770.
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Tampa: (656) 207-9550.
Website option
You can also use the “Contact Us” page or their program pages, where they direct people to call or submit a contact form.
If you want, I can draft a short call script or email you can send them to request the lender list.
nationalfaith.org
Down Payment Assistance Program | National Faith Homebuyers
Down Payment Loan | Forgivable After 5 Years | 0% Interest | Partnered with Michigan State Housing Development Authority | Contact for More Information
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