Forgivable second mortgagePotentially available — confirm funding and eligibilityFunding unverified
Sweet Home Columbus Down-Payment Assistance
Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department
Up to $49,999 as a 0% deferred loan for first-time buyers at or below 80% of AMI buying in Columbus/Muscogee County (price up to $252,000); forgiven over a 5-year (under $25,000) or 10-year affordability period.
Assistance
Advertises up to $49,999
- Up to $49,999
0% deferred loan that declines in equal annual proportions over the affordability period: 5 years for $0–$24,999, 10 years for $25,000–$50,000; pro-rata repayment if sold, rented or transferred during it.
Assistance is subject to program, lender, funding, and transaction requirements.
Freshness
Last verified: September 29, 2026
Effective date: July 1, 2026
Funding: Funding status could not be independently verified.
Published requirements
Requirements not listed here are not on file and must be confirmed.
- First-time homebuyer requiredNo ownership of a principal residence within the prior 3 years.
See exact policy language
“The applicant must be a first-time homeowner. Individuals that have not held ownership of a principal residence within the 3- year period concluding the date of purchase of property are also eligible.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 2Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Minimum borrower contribution $1,000
See exact policy language
“The buyer contributes at least $1,000 toward down payment and closing costs.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Expectations · page 8Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Maximum DTI 49%Front-end ratio may not exceed 39%.
See exact policy language
“burden (i.e. back end ratio) in excess of 49%.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Expectations · page 9Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Homebuyer education: 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer counseling seminar.
See exact policy language
“the applicant must attend an 8- hour homebuyer counseling seminar conducted by a HUD-approved counselor and counseling agency.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Must be your primary residence
See exact policy language
“For the time specified in the promissory note (period of affordability), the homebuyer must occupy the property as their principal residence.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Location: Muscogee
- Income limits: on file for Muscogee County, Muscogee (80% of area median income) · official limits
- Purchase-price limits: $252,000–$252,000 depending on area/construction
- Property types: 1–4 unit homes, condos, co-ops, or manufactured housing with its lot.
Every rule, in the program’s own words
Each rule HomeStack applies to this program, with the exact passage from the official document and a link that opens the document at that passage. HomeStack re-checks every quote against the live document.
- Assistance — Up to $49,999
See exact policy language
“Each eligible homebuyer can receive up to $49,999 in down payment assistance.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Assistance to Eligible Participants · page 4Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Repayment terms
See exact policy language
“$25,000 - $50,000 10 years”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Assistance to Eligible Participants · page 4Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - First-time homebuyer
See exact policy language
“The applicant must be a first-time homeowner. Individuals that have not held ownership of a principal residence within the 3- year period concluding the date of purchase of property are also eligible.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 2Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Minimum borrower contribution
See exact policy language
“The buyer contributes at least $1,000 toward down payment and closing costs.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Expectations · page 8Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Maximum debt-to-income ratio
See exact policy language
“burden (i.e. back end ratio) in excess of 49%.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Expectations · page 9Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Homebuyer education
See exact policy language
“the applicant must attend an 8- hour homebuyer counseling seminar conducted by a HUD-approved counselor and counseling agency.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Owner occupancy
See exact policy language
“For the time specified in the promissory note (period of affordability), the homebuyer must occupy the property as their principal residence.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Eligible location
See exact policy language
“The intent of the DPA Program is to make homeownership affordable for residents within the Muscogee County, Georgia area.”
Community Reinvestment > HOME Program > Sweet Home Columbus — Columbus Consolidated Government · Sweet Home ColumbusOpen official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026If the passage is not highlighted, use your browser’s find (Ctrl/⌘ F) to search for the quoted text. - Income limits
See exact policy language
“Low-to- moderate income means the individual or family must have a gross income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income, as determined by HUD”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Participants · page 2Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Income limits
See exact policy language
“1 Person - $ 47,450”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · 2026 Income Limits · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Income limits
See exact policy language
“4 Persons - $ 67,750”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · 2026 Income Limits · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Income limits
See exact policy language
“8 Persons - $ 89,450”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · 2026 Income Limits · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Purchase price limits
See exact policy language
“HOME Homeownership Sales Price Limit for 1 unit (effective 12/1/25) $252,000”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Expectations · page 8Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Property rules
See exact policy language
“Single-family housing means a one- to-four-family residence, condominium unit, cooperative unit, combination of manufactured housing and lot, or manufactured housing lot.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Eligible Properties · page 3Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Participating lender
See exact policy language
“The applicant must be pre-approved by a Sweet HOME Columbus certified lender.”
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 — Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Buyer Application Process · page 5Open official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026 - Contact — Columbus Community Reinvestment
See exact policy language
“For more information, please call the Community Reinvestment Department at (706) 225-4613 .”
Community Reinvestment > HOME Program > Sweet Home Columbus — Columbus Consolidated Government · Sweet Home ColumbusOpen official source at this passage ↗Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026Last read by a HomeStack researcher: September 29, 2026If the passage is not highlighted, use your browser’s find (Ctrl/⌘ F) to search for the quoted text.
Important notes
- The first mortgage must be a fixed-rate, fully amortizing 30-year loan (no ARMs or balloons).
- At least $500 in cash reserves at closing; a current home must be sold before applying.
Official contacts
Columbus Community Reinvestment: (706) 225-4613
Participating lenders: confirm with the administrator. Housing counselors: HUD counselor search.
Official source
Sweet HOME Columbus DPA Policy (2026 updated) - Program Policies and Procedures, July 1, 2026 · Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department · Last verified: September 29, 2026
Quote found word-for-word · checked September 29, 2026
HomeStack provides research and estimates based on available program criteria. It does not provide mortgage approval, underwriting, financial advice, or a guarantee of eligibility, funding, or loan terms. Final eligibility must be confirmed by the applicable lender or program administrator.