Wisconsin program

City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)

Wisconsin route through City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC). This page stays free for the core public facts. Open paid access only when you need the full state board, related paths, and the decision layer around this program.

Forgivable second mortgage Forgivable if occupancy holds 2026-04-21
Agency City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC)
Support type Forgivable second mortgage
Amount highlight 0% forgivable second-mortgage loans of up to $35,000 for rehabilitation of eligible city-owned foreclosed homes, with HBA funds capped at no more than half of the purchase price plus rehabilitation cost.
Last verified 2026-04-21

Open questions

This is a rehab purchase path

This page stays public because the official structure is still useful, but these details should not be flattened into fake certainty.

Milwaukee HBA is not a plain down-payment grant. It is tied to buying and rehabilitating eligible city-owned foreclosed homes.

Decision-ready public facts

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Amount

0% forgivable second-mortgage loans of up to $35,000 for rehabilitation of eligible city-owned foreclosed homes, with HBA funds capped at no more than half of the purchase price plus rehabilitation cost.

Type

Forgivable second mortgage

Repayment

Milwaukee says the HBA loan is fully forgiven once the buyer has lived in the property for five years after project completion. The loan is forgiven on an annual pro rata basis over that five-year period, and the remaining balance must be repaid if the property is sold during the initial five years.

First-time buyer

Not required

Program guide

What to know before you click through

This is still the free fact layer. Open the official source when a detail affects eligibility, repayment, lender choice, or whether this path should stay on your shortlist.

Who qualifies?

Homebuyers purchasing an eligible city-owned foreclosed property in Milwaukee, Buyers purchasing a 1-2 unit city-owned property, Borrowers with first-mortgage pre-qualification or pre-approval from a lender, Buyers able to contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds toward purchase and rehabilitation

What support do you get?

0% forgivable second-mortgage loans of up to $35,000 for rehabilitation of eligible city-owned foreclosed homes, with HBA funds capped at no more than half of the purchase price plus rehabilitation cost.

Do you repay it?

Milwaukee says the HBA loan is fully forgiven once the buyer has lived in the property for five years after project completion. The loan is forgiven on an annual pro rata basis over that five-year period, and the remaining balance must be repaid if the property is sold during the initial five years.

How do you apply?

Review the HBA orientation materials, complete 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer counseling, secure first-mortgage pre-approval or cash-proof of funds, choose an eligible city-owned foreclosed property on CityHouses, and submit the HBA loan application to NIDC before purchasing the property.

Application timing

NIDC can issue a pre-commitment within 5 business days after receiving a complete application; applicants should generally allow 180 days, or 6 months, from complete application to purchase closing.

Official source evidence

The official Milwaukee HBA page, FAQ, brochure, and application packet say 0% forgivable second-mortgage loans of up to $35,000 are available for rehabilitation of city-owned foreclosed homes. The city says buyers must complete 8 hours of counseling, obtain first-mortgage pre-approval or cash funding proof, contribute at least $1,000, and live in the home for 5 years after project completion to receive full forgiveness.

View official source

Last verified

2026-04-21

Effective date not captured.

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Comparison preview

City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)

Amount: 0% forgivable second-mortgage loans of up to $35,000 for rehabilitation of eligible city-owned foreclosed homes, with HBA funds capped at no more than half of the purchase price plus rehabilitation cost.

Repayment: Milwaukee says the HBA loan is fully forgiven once the buyer has lived in the property for five years after project completion. The loan is forgiven on an annual pro rata basis over that five-year period, and the remaining balance must be repaid if the property is sold during the initial five years.

First-time buyer: Not required

Timing: NIDC can issue a pre-commitment within 5 business days after receiving a complete application; applicants should generally allow 180 days, or 6 months, from complete application to purchase closing.

Risk checks preview

What gets flagged before you call a lender

  • City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA) must be paired with a specific first mortgage.
  • City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA) can trigger repayment on sale or refinance.

Lender questions preview

Questions tied to this exact path

  • Which first-mortgage product must be paired with City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA), and what breaks eligibility?
  • Which events trigger repayment for City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA): sale?

Action checklist preview

What you would do next

  • Review the official Milwaukee HBA page for City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)
  • Carry the lender question kit for City of Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)

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