Opening the Door to Homeownership

by closing the financing gap

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Homes by CFE Down Payment Assistance Program 

Homes by CFE helps borrowers leave the cycle of renting and achieve stable, affordable homeownership. By supporting borrowers with the necessary funds to make a down payment, program participants can help avoid or reduce the length of mortgage insurance by lowering their upfront down payment. As a nonprofit lender, we are guided by the values of transparency, equity, and responsibility. City First Homes developed Homes by CFE a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program as a Special Purpose Credit Program (SPCP) designed to benefit Black and Latino households, which have historically experienced significant homeownership gaps in the District of Columbia, Baltimore City and select surrounding counties. 

Learn more about SPCPs here. 

Program Status 

Due to high demand and limited availability of funds, the program is currently open but accepting a limited number of applications.

We strongly encourage all prospective applicants to review our Program Eligibility Criteria to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications before applying.

Please continue to check our website for the latest updates on application availability and program status.

For any questions or additional information, please contact us at: info@homesbycfe.org

How can we help you?

Down Payment Assistance

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner, and do you identify as Black and/or Latino? Learn about program eligibility, loan terms, and support.

DPA Program Guide

Legacy Program Information

Are you a homeowner through the original City First Homes program? If you purchased your property before January 30, 2022, get info on program updates, resales, and more.

Legacy Program Information

Impact: Get to Know Our Borrowers

The DC and Baltimore Metro areas are a high-cost market, and most Black and Latino residents are priced out of home ownership. Homes by CFE borrowers live in communities where: 

 

 

Building Equity: Homes by CFE Paves the Way for Ms. Godwin's Homeownership

Our innovative program aims to bridge the homeownership gap for Black and Latino families in the District of Columbia and select parts of Maryland, offering a loan to assist with the home’s purchase price for down payments. Ms. Godwin joined the first-ever group of successful Homes by CFE borrowers. Discover her inspiring journey to homeownership.

Read Full Story

A Legacy of Innovation

Homes by CFE is a subsidiary of City First Enterprises, a nonprofit that creates equitable financial solutions to support people and communities in achieving their economic aspirations.

We launched the Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program as a SPCP, a provision of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to enable us to focus on the communities most in need – and to help change outcomes for generations of families. 

Learn more about SPCPs