Home Ownership

The City of Wilmington, in partnership with local banks, is pleased to offer the Home Ownership Pool (HOP). This loan program is for low-to-moderate income households looking to achieve the benefit of home ownership. HOP provides up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for eligible participants. Property MUST be purchased within the city limits of Wilmington in this loan program. Homebuyer Education is the first step in becoming a HOP participant.

• Housing Programs Application(PDF, 266KB)
• HOP Addendum(PDF, 170KB)
• HOP Flyer(PDF, 110KB)

Home Ownership/ Home Buyer News

The City of Wilmington Community Development department is hosting Home Buyer Education classes. The certificate is good for two years and allows participants to become eligible for a HOP (Home Ownership Pool) loan. The topics covered include credit, working with a real estate agent, fair housing, shopping for a home loan and inspections. This loan program is for low-to-moderate income households looking to achieve the benefit of home ownership.

Click here to Register for and upcoming Home Buyer Education Class 

The City of Wilmington in conjunction with Kingdom CDC hosts virtual home buyer education classes that will satisfy the requirement for the CPLP program, offered through NC Housing Finance Agency. CPLP is a down payment assistance program offering up to $50,000 or 20% in down payment assistance. There is no location restrictions with this program. You MUST have a 640 credit score to be eligible to participate. There is not a class scheduled at this time.

Downloads

• CPLP Flyer(PDF, 5MB)
• CPLP FAQs(PDF, 188KB)
• Housing Programs Application(PDF, 266KB)

About Our Program

The City of Wilmington offers FREE in person and virtual One-on-One Housing Counseling Services to individuals or families exploring Affordable Housing and Homeownership. Counseling services include Pre-Purchase & Post Purchase, Financial Management, Credit Education and more all tailored to your unique financial situation. These services are provided by HUD Certified Housing Counselors by appointment. *Please note: Pre-qualification does not require an appointment however all necessary Supplemental Documentation must be received via US Mail or drop-off.

Program Benefits

• Eligible participants may receive up to $25,000 in down payment assistance upon program can be stacked with HOP, CPLP or other down payment assistance loan programs.
• Access to free housing education resources through housing counseling, quarterly workshops, and homebuyer education.

Download the HOP 2Gether Flyer(PDF, 139KB)

Hop 2gether Workshop Series

Spring series dates TBD

• Working with a Real Estate Agent
• Class on Credit Counseling
• Fair Housing
• Home Maintenance Workshop
• Emergency Disaster Preparedness
• Homeowners Insurance

Fair Housing Overview

Fair Housing laws make it illegal to discriminate in housing based on a person’s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status. For persons with disabilities, the laws go one step farther and include provisions allowing for reasonable accommodations and modifications so that persons with disabilities can live in and enjoy housing and common areas.

• Fair Housing Laws(PDF, 126KB)
• NC Human Relations Commission(PDF, 25KB)
• New Hanover County's Brochure(PDF, 359KB)
• Housing Discrimination Complaint Information

Assessment of Fair Housing

The City of Wilmington, in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority, has prepared an Assessment of Fair Housing as part of its obligations in receiving funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Assessment of Fair Housing furthers the purposes of the Fair Housing Act. This Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other real estate-related transactions because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability.

As a recipient of funding from HUD, the City must address segregation and related barriers for groups with characteristics protected by the Fair Housing Act. The Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) examines fair housing data including, but not limited to, local data, experience and knowledge. Fair housing issues and contributing factors are identified as part of the AFH process and used in establishing local fair housing priorities and goals.

• Assessment of Fair Housing City of Wilmington & Wilmington Housing Authority(PDF, 7MB)
• Wilmington AFH Addendum(PDF, 1MB)

Home Ownership/ Home Buyer News

The City of Wilmington Community Development department is hosting Home Buyer Education classes. The certificate is good for two years and allows participants to become eligible for a HOP (Home Ownership Pool) loan. The topics covered include credit, working with a real estate agent, fair housing, shopping for a home loan and inspections. This loan program is for low-to-moderate income households looking to achieve the benefit of home ownership.

Register for an upcoming Home Buyer Education Class 

Rental Rehab Incentive Program Webinar

This is a mandatory workshop for the Rental Rehabilitation Incentive Loan Program. Participation is mandatory in order to submit a loan application for the loan program.

Register for an upcoming webinar

Home Maintenance Workshop

This Workshop is for citizens who have already submitted applications for the Homeowner Rehab Program. Participation in the workshop is mandatory in order to qualify.

Register for an upcoming workshop

Learn more about the Loan Review Board and view the latest Loan Review Board agenda.(PDF, 151KB)