Union County First Time Homebuyer Programs and Assistance

Buying your first home in Union County takes planning and money. The good news is that multiple assistance programs exist to help you cover down payment and closing costs. Union County offers a local program plus access to statewide and federal options to make homeownership achievable.

Union County is located in central Pennsylvania with affordable housing opportunities. The Union County Affordable Housing Fund provides no-interest, no-payment assistance to first-time homebuyers. Combined with state and federal programs, Union County buyers have multiple pathways to homeownership.

Union County Affordable Housing Fund Program

The Union County Affordable Housing Fund was established to help first-time homebuyers achieve homeownership. The program provides no-interest, no-payment second mortgages for down payments and closing costs associated with purchasing a home.

The program offers up to $10,000 or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less, in assistance. The exact amount you receive depends on your specific situation and program guidelines. This assistance can help you bridge the gap between your savings and your total down payment and closing cost needs.

The assistance is structured as a second mortgage with no interest charged. You do not make monthly payments on this assistance loan. The loan is repaid when you sell or refinance the property.

To qualify, you must be a first-time homebuyer. The program defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The property must be your primary residence, not an investment property or vacation home.

Applications for the Union County Affordable Housing Fund can be downloaded from the Union County website. Contact the Union County offices to request an application or ask questions about program eligibility and requirements.

The program evaluates applications based on financial need and other factors. Funding may be limited, so it is recommended that you apply early to ensure availability.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Statewide Programs

Union County homebuyers have access to multiple Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency programs. PHFA offers several mortgage and assistance options designed to help first-time homebuyers achieve homeownership with affordable payments and flexible terms.

The Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years program, known as K-FIT, provides up to 5 percent of the purchase price in down payment and closing cost assistance with no maximum dollar limit. The K-FIT loan is forgiven at 10 percent per year over 10 years, meaning you owe less each year as you build equity.

The Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan provides up to $6,000 in structured assistance toward down payment and closing costs. This program offers a reliable amount of assistance with clear terms that are easy to understand.

The Keystone Home Loan program serves first-time homebuyers with income and purchase price limits specific to Union County. This program offers competitive interest rates and low fees with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages available through conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA loans.

The HFA Preferred loan has income limits but does not have first time homebuyer requirements, nor does it have purchase price limits. This program offers flexibility for different buyer situations.

First Front Door and Keys Programs

The First Front Door program and Keys program provide down payment and closing cost assistance through participating lenders that are members of FHLBank Pittsburgh. These programs are available to eligible first-time homebuyers in Union County.

First Front Door provides up to $15,000 in grant assistance to qualified homebuyers. You must contribute a minimum of $1,500 of your own money toward down payment and closing costs. The grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.

The Keys program is designed for first-generation homebuyers with income at or below 120 percent of the area median income. Keys provides up to $15,000 in grant assistance. Like First Front Door, you must contribute a minimum of $1,500.

To qualify for First Front Door or Keys, you must be a first-time homebuyer who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years. If you are buying with other people, at least one buyer must meet this requirement.

If you have an investment property, you can still be considered if it is not your primary residence and you have not owned another primary residence in the past three years.

You must complete four hours of homeownership counseling to participate in First Front Door or Keys. The counseling helps you understand the homebuying process, budgeting, mortgage terms, and homeownership responsibilities.

To access First Front Door or Keys assistance, you must obtain your first mortgage from a participating FHLBank Pittsburgh member lender. Your lender will help you apply for the program and coordinate the grant process.

Federal Mortgage Programs Available

FHA loans allow first-time homebuyers to purchase with as little as 3.5 percent down payment. FHA mortgages have flexible credit requirements and accept borrowers with past credit challenges who demonstrate readiness for homeownership.

VA loans are available to eligible military members, veterans, and surviving spouses. VA loans offer zero down payment options and competitive interest rates as a benefit of military service. The VA guarantees the loan so lenders take less risk and offer better terms.

USDA loans are available in rural areas of Union County for eligible borrowers. USDA loans offer zero down payment and reduced mortgage insurance for rural homebuyers. Income limits apply, but USDA loans serve borrowers in designated rural areas with favorable terms.

Conventional loans are available with 3 to 5 percent down payment for qualified borrowers. Conventional mortgages may offer the best rates and terms for borrowers with good credit and stable income.

How to Get Started with Union County Assistance

Contact Union County to obtain and complete the Union County Affordable Housing Fund program application. Ask about current eligibility requirements, income limits, and application procedures. Inquire about funding availability and timelines.

Contact PHFA through their website or a participating lender to explore statewide programs. Ask about K-FIT, Keystone Advantage, Keystone Home Loan, and HFA Preferred options available to you.

Contact a lender that is a FHLBank Pittsburgh member to explore First Front Door or Keys grant programs. Your lender will explain program eligibility and help you apply. Ask about the four-hour homebuyer counseling requirement and schedule those sessions.

Work with a PHFA-approved homebuyer counselor to understand all your options and develop a homebuying plan. Free counseling is available through PHFA to help you determine your readiness for homeownership.

Get prequalified for a mortgage before house hunting. Prequalification shows you how much you can borrow and helps you search in the right price range.

Income and Credit Requirements

Union County Affordable Housing Fund program has specific eligibility requirements. Contact Union County to confirm income limits and other qualification criteria for the current year.

Keys program requires household income at or below 120 percent of the area median income for Union County. The area median income is determined annually by HUD.

PHFA programs have income limits specific to Union County. Income limits are updated annually based on area median income set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

First Front Door and Keys programs require a minimum credit score of 620 and good credit history. Lenders may have additional credit requirements.

FHA loans typically require a minimum credit score of 580 for borrowers putting down 3.5 percent. Conventional loans require a minimum credit score of 620. VA loans have flexible credit requirements for veterans. USDA loans vary by lender but often require a 640 credit score.

The good news is that you do not need perfect credit to qualify for homeownership assistance in Union County. Multiple programs work with homebuyers who have past credit challenges if they demonstrate willingness to repay debt and maintain good credit going forward.

Documents You Will Need

Gather your documents early to speed up the application process. You will need recent pay stubs, typically covering the last 30 days. You will need tax returns for the past two years to verify income stability.

Bank statements showing your savings and down payment funds are required. You must also provide identification such as a driver's license or passport. Employment history verification is required.

Authorization to check your credit report is required. This allows lenders and programs to review your credit history and score. Your homebuyer counselor will help you understand what documents are needed for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much assistance can I receive from Union County program?

The Union County Affordable Housing Fund provides up to $10,000 or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less, in down payment and closing cost assistance. The exact amount depends on your financial situation and program guidelines. Contact Union County for specific details about your eligibility.

Is the Union County program a loan or grant?

The Union County Affordable Housing Fund provides a no-interest, no-payment second mortgage. This is a loan, not a grant, but it is structured with no monthly payments required. You repay the loan when you sell or refinance the property.

Can I combine Union County assistance with PHFA programs?

You may be able to combine local Union County assistance with PHFA statewide programs to receive additional support. For example, you might receive assistance from Union County and then apply for K-FIT from PHFA for additional down payment assistance. Contact Union County and your lender to confirm which programs can be combined.

What is the First Front Door program?

First Front Door is a program through FHLBank Pittsburgh that provides up to $15,000 in grant assistance to first-time homebuyers. You must contribute a minimum of $1,500 toward down payment and closing costs. You must complete four hours of homebuyer counseling. First Front Door is available through participating lenders.

What if I am a veteran?

If you served honorably in the U.S. military, you may qualify for VA loan benefits including zero down payment and competitive interest rates. VA loans are available through PHFA participating lenders. Contact a PHFA-approved lender to ask about VA loan eligibility and benefits available to you.

Get Started Today

Union County offers assistance for first-time homebuyers who are ready to own. The county program combined with state and federal options makes homeownership achievable. Union County is a central Pennsylvania community with affordable housing opportunities and strong support for first-time homebuyers.

Contact Union County to obtain the Affordable Housing Fund program application and ask about eligibility. Explore PHFA statewide programs through the PHFA website or a participating lender. Contact a FHLBank Pittsburgh member lender about First Front Door or Keys programs. Work with a PHFA-approved homebuyer counselor to understand all your options. Talk to mortgage lenders about FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loan options available to you.

Your path to homeownership in Union County starts today. Take the first step and reach out to the program or lender that best matches your situation.