Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

If you are interested in becoming a first-time homebuyer and your previous home was damaged or destroyed by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires or straight-line winds, you could qualify for a forgivable loan through ReOregon’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program. This loan can help you cover a down payment and eligible closing costs when you buy certain types of homes (including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and manufactured homes) in one of the affected counties: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, or Marion.

Lenders, Realtors and Third Parties: Visit the “What Lenders, Realtors, and Third Parties Need to Know About DPA Guidelines” webpage for details regarding your responsibilities.

How do I know if I qualify?

You may qualify if:

Your household income is below 120% of the area median income (AMI) in your county. See the ReOregon income requirements webpage for details.
You can prove you lost your previous home to wildfire or straight-line winds in 2020.
You are considered a first-time homebuyer.

You must also meet certain homebuying requirements. Visit the “Homebuying Requirements for a DPA Loan” webpage for more details.

Thirty-year DPA loans do not have to be repaid if you stay in the home. Each year, 1/30th of the loan is forgiven on the date you received the loan. After 30 years, the entire loan is forgiven.

Who is considered a first-time homebuyer?

You must meet one of the following conditions to be considered a first-time homebuyer:

You have not owned a home during the past three years before buying a new home with DPA.
You are a single parent, and the only home you owned was with your former spouse while you were married.
You are displaced due to your marital status and have only owned a home with your spouse while married.

How can I apply?

Before you apply, start by reviewing the required documentation. Once you have all the required documents, you will need to submit a Housing Support Services application to the community action agency (CAA) closest to you to be considered for DPA.

How much can a DPA loan cover?

DPA loans can be as much as $150,000. However, the final amount you receive will depend on how much money you still need to buy your home after getting an affordable mortgage from a lender you choose. DPA loans will not cover the full cost of a home but can help bring homeownership within reach.

What am I responsible for?

If you are approved for DPA, you must spend 20%-30% of your monthly income on housing costs, including:

Mortgage payments
Taxes
Insurance
Homeowners association and pad lease fees (if applicable)

Your total monthly debts must be less than half of your income. This is called your debt-to-income ratio, and we are here to help you figure it out.

Available Funding

DPA is available for households in the 2020 disaster-impacted counties. The status of funding varies by county. Counties with the status of "limited" available funding are accepting applications, but may run out of funding soon. Counties with the status of "available" funding are accepting applications.

We are here to help

To learn more, call 877-510-6800 or 541-250-0938, or email us at housingsupport@reoregon.org.

If you are not ready to apply to DPA but still need assistance, your CAA can advise you about Housing Counseling Services or other ReOregon programs that suit your needs.