North Carolina down payment assistance, from 3% to $50,000+ local options.

NC Home Advantage Mortgage

NCHFA's flagship program is available to first-time and move-up buyers using eligible FHA, VA, USDA or conventional financing. Current NCHFA consumer guidance says qualified borrowers may receive down payment assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount.

Published minimum FICO: 640. Manufactured homes require 660. NCHFA's June 2026 update increased the general program income limit to $158,000 and the sales-price limit under the NC Home Advantage umbrella to $525,000.

NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

Eligible first-time homebuyers and military veterans who qualify for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage may receive $15,000 in down payment assistance. A targeted-census-tract exception can also apply under program rules.

Published minimum FICO: 640; 660 for manufactured homes. Current program rules also require applicable income/sales-price limits and primary occupancy.

Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

This is one of North Carolina's most significant assistance programs for lower-income buyers. CPLP can provide up to 25% of the sales price, not to exceed $50,000, when combined with NC Home Advantage, or up to 10% when paired with USDA Section 502 financing.

Published minimum FICO: 640. Household income must generally be at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Current guidelines cap total DTI at 45% and use a housing-ratio range of 28%–32%.

NCHFA budgeted up to $12.5 million for CPLP in 2026, and the program is available through participating community partners across all 100 counties.

Self-Help Loan Pool

NCHFA also operates a Self-Help Loan Pool through participating nonprofit organizations, commonly Habitat for Humanity affiliates. It targets eligible lower-income buyers who contribute sweat equity toward construction of the home they purchase.

NCHFA's 2026 investment summary lists participation financing up to $35,000 within an entitlement city and up to $50,000 outside an entitlement city, combined with member financing into an interest-free amortizing loan.

House Charlotte

The City of Charlotte currently says House Charlotte offers deferred and forgivable loan options to eligible first-time buyers, with up to $80,000 in assistance in some program structures for down payment, closing costs and interest-rate buy-down.

The City's current table shows the largest structure for buyers at or below 80% of median income: a base amount up to $30,000 plus an additional match up to $50,000. Buyers at 80.01%–110% of median income can have smaller base/match structures, and certain City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and CMS employees can receive a match exemption under the published rules.

Published minimum FICO: the City consumer page does not establish one universal score for every House Charlotte structure, so Mortgage Navigator labels it program/lender specific rather than inventing a number.

National Homebuyers Fund

NHF should be compared with NCHFA and local assistance rather than assumed to be interchangeable. Exact credit score, first-mortgage pricing and repayment/forgiveness depend on the current participating-lender product.

Chenoa Fund

Chenoa Fund provides FHA down payment assistance through approved lender partners and is within North Carolina under its stated footprint. Current product matrices control credit and second-mortgage terms.