Community Programs

The City of Alton’s Homeownership Program

Program Origins

The City of Alton’s Homeownership Program was initiated in 1997, under the direction of Mayor Donald E. Sandidge. The program was created with the intent to boost homeownership rates within the City of Alton and to expand the availability of affordable housing. These aims are achieved by providing down payment and closing cost assistance to homebuyers, with incomes below 80% of the median income, with purchasing homes within the city of Alton. Since its inception, the general public and the local real estate industry have been very receptive to the program’s goals and objectives. To date, the program has assisted over 900 households, with total expenditures exceeding $3 million dollars.

Program Overview

Five-year, forgivable loans for down payment and closing cost assistance are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. The maximum assistance provided is $3,000 for income-qualified buyers. Sites can be selected throughout the City provided that they meet established purchase price limits. The homebuyer must contribute a minimum investment of $1,000 towards the purchase of the property. The investment requirement must be in the form of earnest money deposits, cash at closing, or a combination thereof. The buyer must receive a fixed-rate loan with an interest rate within 1% of the market rate. Completion of a homebuyer counseling course provided by a HUD-approved agency must be verified prior to closing. Additionally, the buyer must have a clean credit history for the past twelve (12) months and household income must be below the state income guidelines.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants must contact one of the participating lenders of their choice to obtain loan qualifications. Upon loan approval, the lender must submit all required documentation and a completed application to the Department of Development & Housing to determine program eligibility.

Lending Institutions

Lending institutions who would like to be approved as a participating lender can download the Alton Homeownership Program Lender Packet which details the full provisions and requirements of the Homeownership Program.

Housing and Public Services

The following is a brief description of some of the Community Development Block Grant programs that are offered. For questions regarding the Block Grant Programs, contact Greg Caffey at 618.463.3801.

The Homeownership Program was developed to promote homeownership in the City of Alton and create stability in neighborhoods. This program assists homebuyers in the form of a forgivable loan to assist with down payment and eligible closing costs for homes purchased in the City of Alton.