Forgivable second mortgageConflicting information — verify with the program administratorFunding unverified
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance
Decide DeKalb Development Authority with DeKalb County
Forgivable, deferred-payment silent second mortgage: $20,000 for households up to 100% of AMI, $15,000 from 101% to 120% of AMI, plus $5,000 for DeKalb County employees; forgiven after a 10-year owner-occupancy period. Applications are anticipated to open in Fall 2026.
NEW
Applications are anticipated to open in Fall 2026.
Assistance
Advertises up to $20,000; up to $25,000
- $20,000 (up to 100% AMI); $15,000 (101–120% AMI)
- Up to $25,000 — income-eligible DeKalb County employees
Forgivable, deferred-payment loan; 100% forgiven if owner-occupied for the 10-year compliance period, fully repaid if the borrower moves or sells during it.
Assistance is subject to program, lender, funding, and transaction requirements.
Freshness
Last verified: September 29, 2026
Effective date: Not published
Funding: Funding status could not be independently verified.
Published requirements
Requirements not listed here are not on file and must be confirmed.
- Must be your primary residence
See exact policy language
“Income-qualified homebuyers purchasing a home in DeKalb County as their primary residence”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · Who is EligibleOpen 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. - First-time homebuyer requiredHomeStart defines a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past six months and does not currently own other residential property.
See exact policy language
“HomeStart is open to first-time homebuyers, which the program defines as someone who has not owned a home in the past six months and does not currently own any other residential property.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · Who Is Eligible?Open 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. - Homebuyer education: Homebuyer education course (most can be done online); keep the certificate.
See exact policy language
“Complete a homebuyer education course (most can be done online) and hold onto your certificate.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · How Do You Apply?Open 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. - Location: DeKalb
- Income limits: on file for DeKalb County (120% of area median income) · official limits
- Purchase-price limits: $550,000–$550,000 depending on area/construction
- Property types: Single Family, Townhouse, Condo
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 — $20,000 (up to 100% AMI); $15,000 (101–120% AMI)
See exact policy language
“Households earning up to and including 100% AMI: $20,000”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · Funding AvailableOpen 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. - Assistance — Up to $25,000 — income-eligible DeKalb County employees
See exact policy language
“Income eligible DeKalb County employees may receive up to$25,000 in downpayment assistance.”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · HomeStart Down Payment AssistanceOpen 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. - Repayment terms
See exact policy language
“So long as the property remains owner-occupied for the 10-year compliance period, 100% of the loan is forgiven.”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · How It WorksOpen 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. - Owner occupancy
See exact policy language
“Income-qualified homebuyers purchasing a home in DeKalb County as their primary residence”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · Who is EligibleOpen 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. - First-time homebuyer
See exact policy language
“HomeStart is open to first-time homebuyers, which the program defines as someone who has not owned a home in the past six months and does not currently own any other residential property.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · Who Is Eligible?Open 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. - Homebuyer education
See exact policy language
“Complete a homebuyer education course (most can be done online) and hold onto your certificate.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · How Do You Apply?Open 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. - Eligible location
See exact policy language
“Income-qualified homebuyers purchasing a home in DeKalb County as their primary residence”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · Who is EligibleOpen 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
“Households earning 101%–120% AMI: $15,000”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · Funding AvailableOpen 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. - Purchase price limits
See exact policy language
“The maximum purchase price is $550,000, which is consistent with the Georgia Dream Mortgage program.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · What Kinds of Homes Qualify?Open 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. - Property rules
See exact policy language
“Eligible property types include single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums, and the home can be new construction or an existing property.”
DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — official page — Decide DeKalb Development Authority for DeKalb County · What Kinds of Homes Qualify?Open 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. - Participating lender
See exact policy language
“Homebuyers are not required to use a specific lender, real estate agent, or broker.”
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance — Decide DeKalb Development Authority · HomeStart Down Payment AssistanceOpen 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 DeKalb County employee amount applies to income-eligible county employees; HomeStack cannot confirm employment.
- Funds may also be used for closing costs and interest rate buy-downs; the initial fund is $10 million.
- A minimum credit score was not published when researched.
Official contacts
DeKalb HomeStart: Website
Participating lenders: confirm with the administrator. Housing counselors: HUD counselor search.
Official source
HomeStart Down Payment Assistance · Decide DeKalb Development Authority · 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.