Easing the Path to Homeownership
Many families in the Wabash Valley struggle to save enough for a down payment on a home. The tight housing market worsens the struggle, driving up prices on single-family homes and putting them even more out of reach for low- to moderate-income families. For many households, a down payment assistance program can remove a barrier to homebuying, making ownership affordable and possible.
United Way of the Wabash Valley’s Home Down Payment Assistance Program helps to ease the path to homeownership. It is a joint venture between United Way and partner financial institutions in the Wabash Valley. This program provides eligible applicants up to $4,000 in assistance.

Financial Institutions
The following five participating financial institutions are offering specialized mortgage packages for applicants to consider:
The Hometown Savings Bank
Lisa Webster – NMLS# 803617
Phone: (812) 244-5135
Email: [email protected]
First Farmers Bank & Trust
Jennifer Crews – NMLS#636202
Phone: (812) 235-7641 EXT 2421
Email: [email protected]
Eligibility Requirements
There are eight eligibility requirements when applying for the program. They include the following:
- The entire household size and income must be under the county’s 80% Area Median Income and the applicant must provide proof of income. These limits are established by the federal government. Click here for the income eligibility table.
- The applicant must complete approved financial literacy classes prior to closing on the home or provide proof of completing such courses in the last year.
- Applicants must invest $1,000 of their own funds.
- Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident with a social security number.
- Applicant must be able to obtain homeowner’s insurance in an amount equal to/greater than the value of the property for the entire recapture period.
- Applicant must remain in the home for 5 years or otherwise repay a proratedportion of the funding in accordance with the recapture agreement with UWWV.
- The purchased home must be the applicant’s primary residence.
- Applicant’s new residence must be in one of these counties: Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion,and Vigo Counties in Indiana and Clark County in Illinois.
You can find the eligibility form below and a link to the digital pamphlet containing information about the program. If you have any other questions contact us at (812) 235-6287 or come to our office at 100 S. 7th St, Terre Haute, IN 47807.