Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

The Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers who are interested in purchasing an existing or newly constructed home in the City of Pittsburgh.

Types of Loans and Repayment Options

• First-time homeowners under 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) can receive up to $7,500 for down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% interest, 5-year deferred loan.*
  
  
• First-time homeowners between 80% of AMI and 115% of AMI can receive up to $5,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% interest, 10-year deferred loan.*
  
  
• No payments are made during the term of the loan if residency requirements are met.
  
  

*Please refer to the chart below to check your income eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

• The homebuyer’s lender must complete the application. The lender will submit the application to the URA on the homebuyer's behalf.
  
  
• The homebuyer must not have any outstanding County, City, and School real estate taxes. Evidence of a payment plan for at least six months is acceptable.
  
  
• The homebuyer must be purchasing a home as their primary residence and have their name on the deed.
  
  
• The homebuyer’s annual gross household income may not exceed 115% of the AMI.
  
  
• The homebuyer must not have over $20,000 in liquid assets after the closing.
  
  
• The homebuyer must complete a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified First-Time Homebuyer Course administered by a HUD-certified counselor.
  
  
• The URA must receive the application at least 21 business days prior to the desired closing date.

Eligible Properties

• A permanent structure used primarily for year-round residential use. If the property to be improved is vacant, the borrower must certify in writing prior to closing his/her intent to occupy the property within 30 days upon work completion.
  
  
• Each property may contain up to two connected dwelling units (i.e., duplex, townhouse), one of which must be owner-occupied.

Program Materials

Download Program Summary

Download Program Guidelines

View 2020 HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Download Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Application

Language translation and interpretation is available free of charge. Please send an email to translation@ura.org.

How to Apply

Download the application by clicking below and send your completed application to:

ATTN: Residential Lending & Investments Unit
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
412 Boulevard of the Allies, Suite 901
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Download Application

Read Homebuyer Stories

• Noah Rectenwald, 100th Recipient of the DPCCAP, Has Positive Experience Buying Home
  
  
• Celestin Uwintonze Improved Credit and Bought a Home with the Help of HOF
  
  
• Susan Smith Credits Housing Assistance as Life-Changing
  
  

• HOF Celebrates One of First Participants in the Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program