Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities
Since 2002 IATP's Homeownership Coalition and its stakeholders have helped people with disabilities and their families achieve greater levels of independence through homeownership. The Homeownership Coalition is committed to providing a comprehensive pre- and post-purchase support system to ensure eligible people with disabilities successfully purchase and maintain their homes. This continuum of services, which is based on promotion of consumer independence and self-advocacy, includes: Outreach, Evaluation and Referral of Prospective Borrowers, Pre-Purchase Education and Counseling, Property Inspection, Down Payment, Closing Cost and Access Modification Assistance, Post-Purchase Follow-up and Support and Early Delinquency Intervention.
Eligible Households
- First-time homebuyer (cannot have owned a home in the last three years)
- Income 80% or less of the Area Median Income to be eligible for grant assistance
- Home will be primary residence
- No contract-for-deed purchases
- Contribute at least $500 of own funds towards down payment
- Willing to work on establishing acceptable credit, if needed
- Attend home buyer education classes
- Home inspection(s) required
- Home can be detached single-family, duplex, condo or manufactured (no mobile homes)
To learn more about the Homeownership Coalition, or to request a program brochure call (800) 852-5110 v/tty.
Homeownership Coalition Application
A Picture of Success
A year ago Debrah and Harold purchased their first home after being in the homeownership program for only three months. Their mortgage payment is considerably lower than what they were paying for rent.
Debrah, who loves her crafts, attends Lincoln Land Community College and hopes to be able to open her own crafts store some day. Their home offers a lot more space for her hobby. Their teenage daughter has her own cozy retreat on the second floor. "Homeownership is so wonderful. No one is over you telling you that you can't do this and can't do that."
Their back yard is a quiet haven in the middle of the busy Springfield medical district. Harold, even though he has a disability, says it feels good to mow the lawn. Debra has cultivated flowers in a few of her gardens. Many evenings they relax in their peaceful back yard, grateful for no longer having to tolerate their nosy, noisy apartment neighbors.
Owning a home is a way to leave something to their daughter. "We thank God and the program for our home."
