Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program
NOTICE TO HARVEY HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICANTS
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has terminated the terms of our Hurricane Harvey disaster contractual agreement under which Harvey Homebuyers Assistance Program (HbAP) operates. Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding these changes with the GLO, we are no longer processing applications.
Homeownership is a dream for many Houstonians but out of reach for many low-income residents. The City offers up to $30,000 to income-qualified Houstonians who are first-time homebuyers, who have not owned a home in the last three years, or are replacing a home that was damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Our assistance is a no-interest, forgivable loan secured by a lien. The loan is fulfilled if the buyer lives in the home for five years. If the buyer sells or moves out of the home before the end of five years, they will pay back the City for a portion of the original loan amount. Please note that a homeowner must also maintain homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance on the property for the duration of this five-year period.
To Begin, Make sure you meet these qualifications:
First Steps
Realtors and other professionals interested in learning more about the Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program or helping residents to take advantage of this program can sign up for our email list at the link below. Signing up will let us know of your interest and help us keep you up to date on any upcoming events or announcements.
Completed the first steps?
Call to receive an Applicant ID number. You will need this for the Program Application & Intake Form in the following steps. It is strongly recommended that you provide an email address when you make this call, as your process will move faster if you can use email.
How to submit documents
You may submit your application in one of four ways:
Need to check the status of your application?
The Homebuyer Assistance Program takes about six weeks, provided there are no external delays. Please note that the six weeks is measured from the time the applicant submits a complete application. We cannot begin work on an incomplete application.
Phase 2 (Property Inspection/Underwriting)
Once you receive a Conditional Reservation Letter, it is time to put a property under contract.
Your lender will need to submit all the documents on the Property & Lenders Checklist, including:
| Property Data Sheet |
| Loan Disclosure Form |
| Acknowledgement of Lead Based Paint Notice |
| Notice to Sellers |
| Sellers Occupancy Certification Form |
| See the full list |
Please note: TREC inspections will only be accepted if they were completed after construction.
The City then reviews these materials and places our loan assistance into underwriting. Meanwhile, the property will be inspected and given an environmental review.
If approved, the City will then issue a Commitment Letter .
Phase 3: Closing
Once you receive a Commitment Letter, you will complete a pre-closing meeting.
Instructions and loan closing documents are sent to title and lender, who submit pre-closing documents, including:
| Wiring Instructions for funds |
| Preliminary Closing Disclosure |
| Form C HbAP Insurance Benefits and Expenditures |
| See full pre-closing checklist |
Funds from the Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program are wired on the day of closing.
The title and lender will then submit post-closing documents, including:
| Original Executed City Deferred Payment Loan Note |
| Final Certified Closing Disclosure |
| See full post-closing checklist |