CDA Down Payment Assistance Loan Program Helps First-time Home Buyers

Posted on: December 16, 2025

(Left to Right) Realtor Jenna Moe with Jenna Moe Homes, Recipients Joseph Hallock & Emma Mitchell; Mason Becker, City of Whitewater

(Left to Right) Realtor Jonathan Marshall with Tincher Realty; Mortgage Loan Officer Andres Morales with Fort Community Credit Union; Advanced Program Specialist RoxAnne Witte with Jefferson County At Home Housing Counseling & Education; Realtor Liz Kostroski with NextHome Success; Recipient Manuel Mendez; Mason Becker, City of Whitewater

The Community Development Authority (CDA), the economic development organization for the City of Whitewater, exists to encourage and assist development in the City that creates jobs, increases the tax base, and improves quality of life in the community. In addition to offering multiple programs to help businesses grow, the CDA also offers a Down Payment Assistance Loan Program for first-time home buyers.

Earlier this month, two families [pictured above] moved closer to making their dream of owning a home a reality. They each received funds from the Loan Program which helped towards their down payment.

Mason Becker, Community Development Director says, “The City of Whitewater showed tremendous foresight in using Affordable Housing Extension funds from the closure of a Tax Increment District to support the Down Payment Assistance Program. We are proud to be able to work with local lenders, such as Fort Community Credit Union, to help make the home ownership dream a reality, along with bringing more residents into the Whitewater community. Nine individuals and families have already been assisted by this program, and we’re looking forward to helping many more achieve home ownership.”

City of Whitewater DPA Program Details:
 Loan to support purchase of single-family home for use as borrower’s primary residence.
 Loan is 0% interest.
 Repayment of the loan is deferred until the home is sold or is no longer the borrower’s primary residence.
 The maximum amount allowed for a second mortgage through the Homebuyer Program is $25,000 and may be applied to lender-required down payment.

Borrower Requirements:
 Meet program income guidelines.
 Be mortgage ready and able to secure affordable superior mortgage loan from a bank, credit union, USDA Rural Development, or another conventional lender.
 Must qualify for a conventional loan through a reputable lender.
 Land Contract purchase does not qualify.
 To increase the probability that a house payment will remain affordable, the first mortgage used to purchase a home must be a fixed rate mortgage.
 To be eligible for the Down Payment Assistance, applicants must have a combined household income of 100% or less of current HUD Income Limits by county (see HUD Income Limits Chart found through the link at the bottom of the article).

Property Requirements:
 Home must be move in-ready and meet Housing Quality Standards at the time of purchase.
 Property value must not exceed HUD established county limits.
 Must be fee simple title at purchase.
 Homes that qualify for Down Payment Assistance can be stick built, modular, new manufactured or condominium on a permanent foundation. A home on a rented or leased lot does not qualify.