Woman finding the assistance she needed to purchase a home for her family.

Special programs to help you buy or rebuild a home

These special mortgage programs can help take some stress out of homebuying, so you can focus on getting home. And don’t worry, our mortgage lending partners will work with you to find the best programs and loan options for you. We even have a program to help you repair or rebuild your home following a disaster. Let's get started.

First-time Homebuyer Program

Be a homeowner for the first time when you purchase a primary residence with assistance from this program.

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Community Partners Program

Get assistance to purchase a primary residence if you are a currently employed or a retired essential worker.

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Workforce Housing Plus+ Program

Become a homeowner again or as a first-time buyer with assistance for the purchase of a primary residence.

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Community Rebuild and Restore Program

Repair and reconstruct your existing owner-occupied home in a declared disaster area by FEMA or other state, local or federal government agencies.

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Income limits calculator

Use this calculator to find out if your household income exceeds 80% of the Area Median Income, as you consider applying for the Community Partners, First-time Homebuyer, or Community Rebuild or Restore program.

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First-time Homebuyer Program

Civic members who have not owned a home in the past three years (or ever) may be eligible for the First-time Homebuyer Program¹ when applying for a mortgage through Civic.

Members must contribute $1,000 of their own funds toward the down payment and/or closing costs
The maximum subsidy amount is $17,500 (this amount may change annually)
At the time of application and at closing, your household must have income at or below 80% of the area median income
Can be used toward down payment or closing costs, or to reduce the principal loan amount
Homebuyers must complete the credit union’s prescribed homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program

Young woman buying her first home, bringing in boxes.

Community Partners Program

FHLBA’s Community Partners Program²helps with home purchase assistance for current and retired essential workers and other qualified members, whether you’ve owned a home before or not.

Members must contribute $1,000 of their own funds toward the down payment and/or closing costs
At the time of application and at closing, your household must have income at or below 80% of the area median income
Homebuyers must complete the credit union’s prescribed homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program
The maximum subsidy amount is $20,000 (this amount may change annually)

Three firefighters posing with their gear.

Workforce Housing Plus+ Program

Civic members can get home purchase assistance³ for a primary residence if you meet the following qualifications.

Members must contribute $1,000 of their own funds toward the down payment and/or closing costs
At the time of application and at closing, your household must have income between 80.01% and 120% of the area median income
Homebuyers must complete Civic Credit Union’s prescribed homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program
The maximum subsidy amount may vary annually
Maximum cash back at closing is $250
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis

Mature couple receiving assistance from Civic to purchase a home.

Community Rebuild and Restore Program

Civic members can get help⁴ with the rehabilitation of an existing owner-occupied property that is in a declared disaster area.

Members must have household income at or below 80% of the area median income
Property must be located in an Emergency or Disaster Declaration Area designated within 36 months by FEMA, or disaster areas declared by a local, state, or other federal government agency and having at least 30 days ownership
Applicants must complete the credit union’s prescribed homebuyer counseling program
The maximum subsidy amount may change annually
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis

Man fixing a roof after natural disaster.

Download the details

This convenient chart lists the details of each program Civic offers through its partnership with FHLB.

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Visit the Mortgage Center

We've partnered with the Credit Union Mortgage Association (CUMA) for a streamlined homebuying process. Apply online through the Mortgage Center and a CUMA agent will reach out to you to talk next steps to pre-qualification.

For the best member experience, use the Mortgage Center with a desktop or laptop computer.

Civic percent graphic to help find the best rate for your mortgage.

1. Find your rate

Civic graphic that shows how easy it is to apply for a mortgage.

2. Apply online

3. Talk with an agent

You know the details matter (and you are in good company)

Here are a few FAQs

What is a 5/1 ARM?

A 5/1 ARM is one type of adjustable-rate mortgage. The 5 refers to the length of the fixed-rate period which is the first five years. The "1" is how often the interest rate may adjust after that which is once per year.

Can I prequalify for a mortgage online?

Once you apply for a loan through the Mortgage Center, a CUMA agent will contact you to discuss the next steps to prequalification.

What is an escrow account?

It’s an account held by your mortgage service provider that holds money from your monthly mortgage payments to pay your taxes and insurance when they are due.

What is cash-out refinancing?

This is where you get a mortgage loan for more than you currently owe on your home. The difference between the new, refinanced mortgage and the balance on your previous mortgage goes to you as cash at closing.

Is a fixed-rate mortgage better than an adjustable-rate mortgage?

Your needs will determine which one will best fit your unique circumstances. A fixed-rate mortgage has predictable payments for the entire term of your mortgage loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) starts off as fixed and moves to a variable – meaning a changing rate. An ARM option can be helpful for short-term ownership, but your specific needs will help inform your decision.

How do I pay my property tax?

Each month, when you make your monthly mortgage payment, your lender will take a portion of that money and put it in your escrow account. Your mortgage servicer will hold that money until your property taxes and insurance are due.

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1 Subject to approval. Property must be in NC, SC, GA (current Civic members only), VA, or TN. Grants offered through Federal Home Loan Bank for purchase of primary residence by member who has not owned a home for past three years. Manufactured homes eligible if deeded and permanently underpinned. Grant funds available on first-come, first-served basis; maximum subsidy amount may change annually. At time of application and closing, household income must be at or below 80% of HUD Area Median Income. Must contribute $1,000 of your own funds toward down payment and/or closing costs. Must complete the credit union’s homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program. Must own and reside in home for at least 5 years from closing date. Adequate property and flood insurance required for life of loan. Product availability and terms subject to change.

2 Subject to approval. Property must be in NC, SC, GA (current Civic members only), VA, or TN. Grants offered through Federal Home Loan Bank for purchase of primary residence by employed or retired essential workers or other qualified members. Manufactured homes eligible if deeded and permanently underpinned. Grant funds available on first-come, first-served basis; maximum subsidy amount may change annually. At time of application and closing, household income must be at or below 80% of HUD Area Median Income. Must contribute $1,000 of your own funds toward down payment and/or closing costs. Must complete the credit union’s homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program. Must own and reside in home for at least 5 years from closing date. Adequate property and flood insurance required for life of loan. Product availability and terms subject to change.

3 Subject to approval. Property must be in NC, SC, GA (current Civic members only), VA, or TN. Grants offered through Federal Home Loan Bank for purchase of primary residence. Manufactured homes eligible if deeded and permanently underpinned. Grant funds available on first-come, first-served basis; maximum subsidy amount may change annually. At time of application and closing, household income must be between 80.01% and 120% of HUD Area Median Income. Must contribute $1,000 of your own funds toward down payment and/or closing costs. Must complete credit union’s homebuyer counseling, debt management planning, and default prevention program. Must own and reside in home for at least 5 years from closing date. Adequate property and flood insurance required for life of loan. Product availability and terms subject to change.

4 Subject to approval. Property must be in NC, SC, GA (current Civic members only), VA, or TN. Grants offered through Federal Home Loan Bank for rehabilitation not covered by an insurance claim, for existing owner-occupied deeded property located in Emergency Declaration or Major Disaster Declaration Area designated within 36 months by FEMA, or disaster area declared by local, state, or other federal government agency. Requires minimum of 30 days’ ownership. Manufactured homes eligible if deeded and permanently underpinned. Grant funds available on first-come, first-served basis; maximum subsidy amount may change annually. At time of application, household income must be at or below 80% of HUD Area Median Income. Must complete the credit union’s prescribed counseling program. Adequate property and flood insurance required for life of loan. Product availability and terms subject to change.