CHA Purchase Assistance Program

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is providing up to $20,000 in down payment assistance for CHA residents and up to $10,000 in assistance for non-CHA residents for the purchase of a home in the Chicago city limits.

You can either be currently participating in a CHA program as a CHA voucher holder or public housing resident or simply be an IL resident (living in or moving to Chicago) that meets the income limits. CHA down payment assistance funds may be used for a down payment, Private Mortgage Interest (PMI) premium, principal reduction, and closing costs. CHA funds may be layered with other sources of down payment assistance. (Cash back at close is not allowed.) This is a federally funded program only open to U.S. citizens.

To apply, you must have a valid preapproval from our list of approved lenders and a purchase contract.

• Associated Bank
• Bank of America
• BMO
• Chase Bank
• CIBC
• Citibank
• Devon Bank
• Fifth Third Bank
• Habitat for Humanity
• Guaranteed Rate
• Guaranteed Rate Affinity
• Huntington Bank
• Loan Depot
• Liberty Bank
• Marquette Bank
• NACA
• Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc.(an affiliate of NHS)
• Old National Bank
• Peoples Bank
• PNC Bank
• Self-Help Federal Credit Union
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo Bank
• Wintrust Mortgage

Chicago Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Grant

• For CHA program participants: Must be a current participant in a CHA housing program with a unique CHA ID number. If a public housing resident or a housing choice voucher holder, the maximum combined household income limit is 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) or below to qualify. There is no limit on combined down payment assistance.
• For non-CHA participants: The maximum combined household income must be 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or below to qualify. Please refer to the income eligibility chart below to see if you are eligible. Combined down payment assistance cannot exceed 20% of the purchase price.

Chicago Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Grant

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Property must be a 1-4-unit residential property or condominium that will be your primary residence.
• Debt to Income percentage of 50% or less on the back end.
• Must have a purchase contract signed by both parties.
• Preapproval from a lender from our approved lenders list.
• Must contribute $3000 to the purchase of the property. For applicants receiving Social Security the contribution must be $2000. Not Required for VA loans.
• Must complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homeownership certificate course.
• If purchasing a 2–4-unit property, attend a Landlord Training that includes information on the Cook County Landlords Ordinance.
• Homebuyer is to remain as the owner-occupant in the home for a minimum of 10 years or CHA may request that the grant amount be repaid based on the recapture terms.
• Homebuyer must sign an owner-occupancy agreement.
• Applicant must be a first-time homebuyer and have not purchased a home within the last three years.

CHA Purchase Assistance Grants are available to CHA participants at up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

If the applicant is not currently participating in a CHA program, they may still apply for purchase assistance. Non-CHA households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Chicago Metropolitan Area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are eligible to apply for purchase assistance.

City of Chicago Area Median Income Chart:
Maximum eligible gross incomes are shown for household sizes in chart below.

(Area Median Income (AMI) for the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL HUD Metro FMR Area effective April 1, 2024, per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.)

After you check your address and complete the on-line application, you will receive an email with a link to our NLS grant portal and instructions for uploading documents.

Required documents to qualify:

Identification: (Submit one ID document for all buyers)

• • Government-Issued Driver’s License or REAL ID or State ID Card
  • U.S. Passport

Proof of Buyer’s Contribution:

• Most recent bank statement within the last 30 days
• Copy of earnest money deposit check, home inspection, appraisal, etc.

Proof of Income: (Submit documents to show all sources of income for all buyers)

• Two most recent years (2022-2023 (2021-2022 if 2023 are not prepared)) of Federal Income Tax Returns with all schedules attached for all buyers. (Illinois State Tax Returns are NOT needed)
• Two most recent years (2022-2023 (2021-2022 if 2023 are not prepared)) W-2 or 1099 statements for all buyers (From all employers)
• Three most recent (past 30-days) paystubs for all buyers (From all employers)
• 2024 Social Security award letter showing the MONTHLY amount awarded for all buyers that receive Social Security income.
• 2024 Pension Statement showing the MONTHLY amount awarded for all buyers that receive pension income.
• Include all documents that state income from Child Support, Disability, and Survivorship benefits for dependents under the age of eighteen.
• Notarized letter of no income certifying that there was no income or unemployment income for any applicable for all buyers.  Letter must be signed by all buyers.
• Notarized letter if you do not file Federal Income Tax Returns due to being on a fixed income (i.e., on Social Security and/or a pension) for all buyers. Letter must be signed by the buyer declaring they do not need to file tax returns.
• Affidavit concerning household size and income
• Sign and date an Authority to Verify Application Information form.

Home Purchase Documentation:

• Executed Purchase Sales Contract (signed by borrower & seller)
• Lender Pre-Approval Letter

Lender Documents Due at Application:

• Title Commitment
• 1008 Transmittal Summary
• 1003 Uniform Residential Loan Application
• Verification of Employment

Training Certificates: (Completion of education required before closing for all buyers)

• Homebuyer Education Certificate (8-hour course)
• Landlord Training Certificate (if property being purchased has 2 or more units)
  • CICCHICAGO – property management training

• Homebuyer Education Certificate (8-hour course)
• Landlord Training Certificate (if property being purchased has 2 or more units)
  • CICCHICAGO – property management training