Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)

Benefits for Your Financial Institution

Differentiate your institution by offering a valuable homeownership assistance program to qualifying first-time homebuyers.

Strengthen customer relationships and loyalty through personalized support and financial assistance.

Support economic empowerment and community development by helping more individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership.

Stories

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We'd love to hear from you! Tell us if you've been a recipient of funds from an FHLB Dallas program.

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HELP funds are provided only through FHLB Dallas members. FHLB Dallas does not provide funds directly to consumers.
 
Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until exhausted, or until December 31, 2025, whichever comes first. 
 
Up to half of a member's funding cap may be used outside of FHLB Dallas' District, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.

Member Requirements

• Verify homebuyer eligibility
• Distribute the full HELP grant to the eligible recipient
• Document the distribution on a final closing disclosure
• Ensure that the rate of interest, points, fees and any other HELP loan charges do not exceed a reasonable market rate  
• Document that the HELP-assisted home is subject to a five-year homeowner retention document that meets the Affordable Housing Program regulations and retention requirements (See Attachment F, AHP Implementation Plan)

How It Works

Enroll: An individual from the FHLB Dallas member financial institution with current Advances Signature Card authorization must submit a one-time HELP Enrollment Application and Subsidy Agreement. Please email ahp@fhlb.com for the AdobeSign application.
Engage: We offer resources to help you promote HELP to first-time homebuyers.
Submit: Submit applications on behalf of your homebuyers.
Award: HELP funds are disbursed to your institution once an application is approved and your homebuyer has or is preparing to close.

Maximum Amounts for Homebuyers and Members

Maximum Per Homebuyer: 

• For properties located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or outside the FHLB Dallas District, $20,000 per household 
• For properties located in New Mexico or Texas, $25,000 per household 
• Annual Member Cap: $850,000 
• Up to half of the annual member cap can be used for properties outside the FHLB Dallas District 

 

Interested organizations or prospective homebuyers (applicants) must complete and submit an application in partnership with an FHLB Dallas member institution. Recipients will receive the funds through the FHLB Dallas member institution sponsoring the application as a grant applied directly to the mortgage associated with the home purchase..

HELP funds are provided only through FHLB Dallas members. FHLB Dallas does not provide funds directly to consumers.

Homebuyer Requirements

To qualify for HELP, homebuyers must:

• Be at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) as defined by HUD
• Must complete a homebuyer counseling program
• Must contribute $500 of their own funds toward the required down payment or closing costs
• Must commit to retaining their home for a period of five years
• May not receive any cash back at closing

How It Works:

If you are a homebuyer looking for help with a down payment and closing costs, contact a participating FHLB Dallas member for more information about your eligibility and the application process.

Please note that FHLB Dallas members have their own underwriting criteria and lending areas. They are also limited to the amount of HELP funding they can access within a given year and may have reached their FHLB Dallas program cap prior to the end of a program year.

Find a Participating FHLB Dallas Member Institution

If you are a consumer or represent a community-based organization or similar entity seeking HELP assistance, use the link below to find a participating member in your area. Members are listed within the state of their charter’s origin and in alphabetical order.

Participating Members List