New Program Offers Down Payment ‘Loan’ To Low-Income Home Buyers; No Payments Due, No Payback Required

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved allocating  1 million tax dollars from  American taxpayers, through the American Rescue Plan Act, to help people who can’t afford to make a down payment to buy a home.

So the tax money would be used for down payment assistance for people with low incomes who are interested in buying a home.

The people would have to be first-time homebuyers in the 5th Supervisorial District which includes Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Hemet, San Jacinto and Moreno Valley.

Administered by the County of Riverside’s Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions, the program offers a maximum of 20% of the home’s purchase price (up to $100,000) in down payment assistance to low-income homebuyers. The assistance is provided through a silent second loan, with recipients not required to make any payments on the loan. Additionally, if the homebuyer fulfills all program requirements, the loan is forgiven after 15 years.

Prospective homebuyers interested in this opportunity will need to work with one of the County of Riverside’s approved lenders,  listed at rivcohws.org/5th-district-home-ownership-program. Subsequently, they must attend an 8-hour homebuyer education class provided by a HUD-approved education provider, with a list of local providers available at rivcohws.org.

Finally, aspiring homeowners are encouraged to enlist the services of a real estate agent to assist them in locating a home within the designated boundaries of the 5th District.

For inquiries about the program, the dedicated team at HWS is readily available at 951-955-0784 or via email at [email protected].

Homes In Riverside County CA.

Photo from Riverside County Dept of Housing and Workforce Solutions May 2024