Home Buyer Assistance Program

Purchasing a home may be the greatest investment you will ever make. Buying a home involves many considerations and challenges. We can help.

Currently in Jefferson County, qualified home buyers can receive up to $11,000 in forgivable loans to help them purchase a home. The funding can be used to pay for part of your down payment, all customary closing costs, prepaid items, reserves and home buyer counseling.

Down Payment Plus Program

Grant Amount – $3,000 – $6,000 or up to $25% of first mortgage
Must use a participating lender
JCEDC Education and Counseling Fee – $300.00 (this fee is paid as part of the grant)
Home buyer education required – provided by RoxAnne Witte from JCEDC
Buyer must contribute at least $1,000 but no more than $2,000 toward the purchase of the property; if contribution is less than $2,000, the grant amount will be less (earnest money, home inspection, home owners insurance, personal funds)
Income cannot exceed 80% of Jefferson County Low-Moderate Income Guidelines
Total Debt-to-Income Ratio cannot exceed 45%
Can be used with the following loan products – RD, HUD Section 184, FHA, VA, IHDA and WHEDA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance Program

Grant Amount – $5,000
Must use a participating lender
Income cannot exceed 80% of Jefferson County Low-Moderate Income Guidelines
Home buyer education required – provided by RoxAnne Witte from JCEDC
Housing Debt-to-Income Ratio cannot be lower than 20%
Total Debt-to-Income Ratio cannot exceed 50%
Can be used with the following loan products – Conventional (fixed or adjustable rate), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, RD, WHEDA, Federal and State VA, Habitat for Humanity, FHA
Must pass HOME Consortium Code Requirement Inspection
House Purchase Limit – $185,000

Home Buyer Education

Buyers can fulfill the required pre-purchase seminar through our office. We typically offer monthly seminars (February-October) that provide potential owners with education on the purchasing process and the many requirements associated with home ownership. The seminars allow qualified individuals to fulfill a requirement for the grants that are available for down payment and closing costs assistance. The seminars are free (education paid by the grant program) and are designed to educate home buyers in the areas of the credit reporting process, responsibilities of homeownership, professionals who can assist throughout the process, special mortgage products and their requirements and more.

For more information about the program or to sign up for a class please contact RoxAnne Witte at (920)674-8711 or roxannew@jeffersoncountywi.gov.

You can also register for an upcoming class by clicking here

The one-on-one counseling requirement can also be completed through our office.