DownPaymentMap

NC Down Payment Assistance: CPLP Statewide Deferred Loan

Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)Administered by North Carolina Housing Finance AgencyDeferred loanNorth Carolina

Reviewed by Tyler Thompson, holds real estate licenses in North Carolina and South Carolina

Published · Facts verified against the official source

What Is the Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)?

The Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) is a statewide North Carolina homebuyer program that provides down payment assistance as a zero-interest deferred loan, up to 25% of the purchase price and not to exceed $50,000 with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. It is run by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) and works with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA or conventional) or a USDA 502 Direct loan.

You do not apply to NCHFA yourself. You work with a local CPLP member, which applies for the assistance on your behalf.

Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) at a glance

Maximum help
Up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000.
Kind of help
A deferred loan.
Interest and forgiveness
0% interest.
Income limit
Household income up to 80% of the area median income for your county and household size.
First-time buyers only?
No. Repeat buyers can use this program.
Credit
Minimum credit score 640.
Loan types
FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, USDA 502 Direct.
Home price limit
Sales price limits vary by county and by home type (existing versus new construction). The current NCHFA table reviewed lists 2025 HOME Sales Price Limits effective 12/1/25.
Where
Anywhere in North Carolina.
Homebuyer education
Required.
Debt-to-income limit
Up to 45%
Buyer contribution
At least $500 of your own funds
Current funding status
Funding status could not be confirmed.
Who runs it
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

What that could look like in dollars

Home priceUp to
$200,000$50,000
$250,000$50,000 (the cap)
$300,000$50,000 (the cap)
$350,000$50,000 (the cap)
$400,000$50,000 (the cap)

Illustration only. Up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000. The administrator decides the actual amount.

Check your eligibility

Answer a few quick questions to see whether Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) and other North Carolina programs may fit you.

Check eligibility →

Free, about two minutes. No name or email needed.

How Much Down Payment Assistance Does CPLP Give?

The amount depends on the first mortgage you pair it with. With an NC Home Advantage Mortgage, CPLP can provide up to 25% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000. With a USDA 502 Direct loan, it can provide up to 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000.

The site shows what a percentage could look like in dollars in the table under the opening.

Who Qualifies for the Community Partners Loan Pool?

CPLP sets rules for the buyer, the home and the loan. These are the ones the program states:

  • Income: household income may not exceed 80% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size, using NCHFA's county-specific HOME limits.
  • Credit score: a minimum middle score of 640, or 660 for a new manufactured home. If two scores are reported, CPLP uses the lower one.
  • Debt-to-income ratio: total debt may not exceed 45%, and the housing ratio should generally be between 28% and 32%.
  • First-time or repeat buyers: you do not have to be a first-time homebuyer.
  • Property types: single-family, modular, manufactured, townhome and condo homes.
  • Occupancy: the home must be your principal residence.
  • Your own money: at least $500 toward closing or purchase-related costs.
  • Other rules: you may not own investment property, and legal-residency and property-condition requirements apply.

Only the administrator and your CPLP member decide who qualifies.

Is CPLP a Grant or a Loan?

CPLP is a loan, specifically a deferred subordinate mortgage. It carries 0% interest and has no monthly CPLP payment. It sits behind your first mortgage, so your regular monthly payment is for the first mortgage only.

Do You Have to Pay CPLP Back?

Yes, but later rather than monthly. The program does not state a forgiveness period. The CPLP term matches your first mortgage: up to 30 years with NC Home Advantage or 33 years with USDA 502 Direct.

Repayment can be triggered by selling the home, certain refinancing or cash-out refinancing, or no longer living in the home as your principal residence.

What Loans Work With CPLP?

CPLP must be combined with an NCHFA NC Home Advantage Mortgage, which can be FHA, VA, USDA or conventional, or with a USDA 502 Direct loan. It cannot be used on its own. For the mortgage side, see NC Home Advantage Mortgage.

Where Is CPLP Available?

CPLP is available in all 100 North Carolina counties, through CPLP members that serve each area. Use the member search on NCHFA's Current Community Partners page to find one for your county.

Alamance CountyAlexander CountyAlleghany CountyAnson CountyAshe CountyAvery CountyBeaufort CountyBertie CountyBladen CountyBrunswick CountyBuncombe CountyBurke CountyCabarrus CountyCaldwell CountyCamden CountyCarteret CountyCaswell CountyCatawba CountyChatham CountyCherokee CountyChowan CountyClay CountyCleveland CountyColumbus CountyCraven CountyCumberland CountyCurrituck CountyDare CountyDavidson CountyDavie CountyDuplin CountyDurham CountyEdgecombe CountyForsyth CountyFranklin CountyGaston CountyGates CountyGraham CountyGranville CountyGreene CountyGuilford CountyHalifax CountyHarnett CountyHaywood CountyHenderson CountyHertford CountyHoke CountyHyde CountyIredell CountyJackson CountyJohnston CountyJones CountyLee CountyLenoir CountyLincoln CountyMcDowell CountyMacon CountyMadison CountyMartin CountyMecklenburg CountyMitchell CountyMontgomery CountyMoore CountyNash CountyNew Hanover CountyNorthampton CountyOnslow CountyOrange CountyPamlico CountyPasquotank CountyPender CountyPerquimans CountyPerson CountyPitt CountyPolk CountyRandolph CountyRichmond CountyRobeson CountyRockingham CountyRowan CountyRutherford CountySampson CountyScotland CountyStanly CountyStokes CountySurry CountySwain CountyTransylvania CountyTyrrell CountyUnion CountyVance CountyWake CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWatauga CountyWayne CountyWilkes CountyWilson CountyYadkin CountyYancey County
Available anywhere in North Carolina. Where the program applies, from its approved record.

How to Apply for the Community Partners Loan Pool

Start by contacting a local CPLP member. If the member finds that you and the property meet program guidelines, it applies for CPLP assistance for you. NCHFA accepts applications only from CPLP members.

Every borrower completes eight hours: at least six hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education and at least two hours of in-person pre-purchase counseling with a HUD-certified counselor at a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Funding: NCHFA says it budgeted up to $12.5 million for 2026 and that the funds are available after January 1, 2026. The official sources do not state a remaining balance. Status checked October 2, 2026: unknown. Ask your CPLP member about current availability, or compare other North Carolina programs.

CPLP Example: Repeat Buyer in Durham County

A three-person household in Durham County, already owning a home, plans to buy another with an income of $62,000 and a price of $285,000. CPLP does not require first-time buyers, so a repeat buyer can be considered.

Illustration only

Where
Durham County
Household
3 people
Income
$62,000 a year
Home price
$285,000

About $50,00025% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000

May fit, with a question on the rules below, checked against the current record.

  • Where: Available anywhere in North Carolina.
  • Property: A single-family home.
  • Income: Within the limit of $91,550 for a household of 3 in their county (80% of area median income).
  • First-time buyer: Open to repeat buyers.
  • Home price: No maximum home price is stated.
  • Who it is for: Open to anyone.
  • Funding: Funding could not be confirmed.

An example household, not a quote. Only the administrator decides who qualifies and for how much.

Questions about Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

What is the income limit for CPLP?

Household income may not exceed 80% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. NCHFA publishes county-specific HOME limits, so the dollar amount depends on your county and household size.

How much down payment assistance does the Community Partners Loan Pool give?

Up to 25% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000, with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. With a USDA 502 Direct loan it is up to 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000.

Can repeat buyers use CPLP?

Yes. CPLP homebuyers are not required to be first-time homebuyers.

Is CPLP a loan I have to repay?

Yes. It is a zero-interest deferred loan with no monthly CPLP payment. Repayment can be triggered by selling, certain refinancing or cash-out refinancing, or no longer living in the home as your principal residence.

What credit score does CPLP require?

A minimum middle credit score of 640, or 660 for a new manufactured home. When two scores are reported, CPLP uses the lower one.

Does CPLP work with FHA, VA or USDA loans?

CPLP must be combined with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage, which can be FHA, VA, USDA or conventional, or with a USDA 502 Direct loan.

Is CPLP available in every North Carolina county?

Yes. CPLP is available in all 100 North Carolina counties, through local CPLP members.

How do I apply for CPLP?

Contact a local CPLP member. If you and the property meet program guidelines, the member applies for the assistance on your behalf, because NCHFA accepts applications only from CPLP members.

Does CPLP require homebuyer education?

Yes. Every borrower completes eight hours: at least six hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education and at least two hours of in-person pre-purchase counseling with a HUD-certified counselor.

Complete Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) program record

The nineteen things a buyer needs to know, in the same order on every program page, each checked against the program’s official sources. Where the program does not state one, this says so.

  • 19 program details reviewed; 18 stated by the program
  • 10 official sources checked from North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
  • Last verified October 2, 2026
  • Current funding status could not be confirmed
View all 19 verified program details ↓
  1. 1 of 19

    Program name

    Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

    From the official source
  2. 2 of 19

    Who runs it

    North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

    919-877-5655

    vcmimms@nchfa.com

    From the official source
  3. 3 of 19

    Kind of help

    A deferred loan.

    Down payment assistance provided as a zero-interest deferred subordinate mortgage loan.

    From the official source
  4. 4 of 19

    Maximum amount

    Up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000.

    Up to 25% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000, with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage; up to 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000, with a USDA 502 Direct loan.

    From the official source
  5. 5 of 19

    Amount tiers

    The amount varies by tier.

    {"USDA 502 Direct":{"max_assistance_pct":10,"max_assistance_usd":50000},"NC Home Advantage Mortgage":{"max_assistance_pct":25,"max_assistance_usd":50000}}

    From the official source
  6. 6 of 19

    Forgiveness, interest and term

    0% interest.

    Deferred payment subordinate mortgage with no monthly CPLP payment. The CPLP term matches the first mortgage, up to 30 years with NC Home Advantage or 33 years with USDA 502 Direct; repayment can be triggered by sale, certain refinancing/cash-out, or no longer occupying the home as the principal residence.

    From the official source
  7. 7 of 19

    Income limit

    Household income up to 80% of the area median income for your county and household size.

    Annual household income may not exceed 80% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. NCHFA publishes county- and household-size-specific HOME limits; the current table reviewed is the 2026 HOME Program Household Income limits effective 6/1/26.

    From the official source
  8. 8 of 19

    First-time buyer rule

    No. Repeat buyers can use this program.

    CPLP home buyers are not required to be first-time home buyers.

    From the official source
  9. 9 of 19

    Maximum home price

    Sales price limits vary by county and by home type (existing versus new construction). The current NCHFA table reviewed lists 2025 HOME Sales Price Limits effective 12/1/25.

    From the official source
  10. 10 of 19

    Other must-know rules

    You must live in the home as your primary residence. Eligible property types: single family, modular, manufactured, townhome, condo.

    Borrower housing ratio must generally be between 28% and 32% and total debt-to-income may not exceed 45%. Borrowers must contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward closing/purchase-related costs, may not own investment property, and assisted buyers must meet the program's legal-residency and property-condition requirements.

    From the official source
  11. 11 of 19

    Where it applies

    Anywhere in North Carolina.

    CPLP is available in all 100 North Carolina counties.

    From the official source
  12. 12 of 19

    Current funding status

    Funding status could not be confirmed.

    NCHFA states that it budgeted up to $12.5 million for 2026 CPLP-eligible home buyers and that these funds are available after January 1, 2026. The reviewed official sources do not state a current remaining balance or explicitly confirm availability on the research date.

    Checked 2026-10-02.

    From the official source
  13. 13 of 19

    How to apply

    Potential borrowers should contact a local CPLP member. If the member determines that the borrower and property meet program guidelines, the member applies for CPLP assistance on the home buyer's behalf; NCHFA accepts applications only from CPLP members.

    From the official source
  14. 14 of 19

    Official source

  15. 15 of 19

    Dates

    CPLP Participation Guidelines: updated/revised January 2026. Forms page lists the HOME Written Agreement for January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. Current income table: 2026 HOME Program Household Income effective 6/1/26; current sales-price table: 2025 Sales Price Limits effective 12/1/25.

    From the official source
  16. 16 of 19

    Report a mistake

    Use the form on this page.

  17. 17 of 19

    Credit requirements

    Minimum credit score 640.

    Minimum middle credit score is 640 for eligible properties, except 660 for new manufactured homes; where two credit scores are reported, CPLP uses the lower score.

    From the official source
    • “If three credit agencies are reporting, eligible borrowers listed on the promissory note must have a minimum middle credit score of 640 for all eligible properties (660 for new manufactured homes).”

      https://www.nchfa.com/sites/default/files/2026-01/21/CPLPGuidelines.pdf · Page 19, Minimum Credit Score

    • “If three credit agencies are reporting, eligible borrowers listed on the promissory note must have a minimum middle credit score of 640 for all eligible properties (660 for new manufactured homes). Buyers with a middle credit score less than 640 are not eligible to participate. For borrowers with two credit scores, CPLP will use the lower of the two scores.”

      https://www.nchfa.com/sites/default/files/2026-01/21/CPLPGuidelines.pdf · Page 19, Minimum Credit Score

  18. 18 of 19

    Eligible loan types

    FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, USDA 502 Direct.

    CPLP must be combined with either an NCHFA NC Home Advantage Mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional) or a USDA 502 Direct loan.

    From the official source
  19. 19 of 19

    Homebuyer education

    Required.

    Every CPLP borrower must complete eight hours total: at least six hours of HUD-approved home buyer education plus at least two hours of in-person pre-purchase counseling by a HUD-certified counselor at a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

    From the official source
    • “We require every borrower using CPLP funds to complete eight (8) hours of HUD-approved home buyer education and in-person pre-purchase counseling before their application can be approved.”

      https://www.nchfa.com/sites/default/files/2026-01/21/CPLPGuidelines.pdf · Pages 21-22, Required Home Buyer Education & Housing Counseling

    • “All borrowers must complete a minimum of 6 hours of Home Buyer Education provided by or overseen by a HUD-certified counselor employed at a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. In addition to completing a HUD-approved home buyer course, Borrowers must complete a minimum of two (2) hours of in-person pre-purchase counseling provided by a HUD-certified counselor employed at a HUD- approved housing counseling agency”

      https://www.nchfa.com/sites/default/files/2026-01/21/CPLPGuidelines.pdf · Pages 21-22, Required Home Buyer Education & Housing Counseling

Where to apply for Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) is offered through local organizations, each for its own area. Contact the one that serves the county where you are buying; it can tell you whether funds are available now.

  • Brick Capital Community Development Corporation

    Serves Chatham County, Harnett County, Lee County, Montgomery County, Moore County, Richmond County

    Their program page →919-775-2300

  • Centre for Homeownership & Economic Development (CHOEDC)

    Serves Alamance County, Beaufort County, Brunswick County, Cabarrus County, Caswell County, Chatham County, Craven County, Duplin County and 23 more

    Their program page →919-241-4718

  • Choanoke Area Development Association of North Carolina (CADA)

    Serves Bertie County, Chowan County, Currituck County, Edgecombe County, Gates County, Halifax County, Hertford County, Martin County and 3 more

    Their program page →252-539-4155

  • City of Wilmington Housing Division

    Serves Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Pender County

    Their program page →910-341-7836

  • Cleveland County Community Development Corporation

    Serves Burke County, Cabarrus County, Catawba County, Cleveland County, Gaston County, Lincoln County, McDowell County, Mecklenburg County and 1 more

    Their program page →704-480-7701

  • Community Foundations CDC, Inc.

    Serves Cabarrus County, Iredell County, Mecklenburg County, Rowan County

    Their program page →704-799-7641

  • Consumer Education Services, Inc.

    Serves Alamance County, Beaufort County, Durham County, Edgecombe County, Franklin County, Granville County, Halifax County, Johnston County and 5 more

    Their program page →866-635-6414

  • DHIC, Inc.

    Serves Alamance County, Bladen County, Carteret County, Chatham County, Cumberland County, Durham County, Franklin County, Halifax County and 9 more

    Their program page →919-832-4345

  • DreamKey Partners, Inc.

    Serves Anson County, Cabarrus County, Catawba County, Davidson County, Gaston County, Iredell County, Lincoln County, Mecklenburg County and 4 more

    Their program page →704-342-0933

  • Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, Inc.

    Serves Forsyth County, Stokes County, Surry County, Yadkin County

    Their program page →336-773-0286

  • Forsyth County Community & Economic Development Department

    Serves Forsyth County

    Their program page →336-703-2680

  • Home Solutions of Davidson County, NC Inc.

    Serves Cabarrus County, Davidson County, Davie County, Forsyth County, Guilford County, Mecklenburg County, Montgomery County, Randolph County and 2 more

    Their program page →336-236-1675

  • The Housing Assistance Corporation, Inc.

    Serves Alleghany County, Ashe County, Avery County, Buncombe County, Caldwell County, Cherokee County, Clay County, Graham County and 13 more

    Their program page →828-692-4744

Report a mistake

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Programs differ in how much they give, who they are for, where they apply and how they are repaid. These may be worth comparing.

Compare all North Carolina programs →

Official sources for Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

The facts on this page were taken from these sources. Read the program’s own terms there before you rely on a figure.

Visit the official source →

Program rules can change. Confirm current terms with North Carolina Housing Finance Agency or a participating lender before you rely on a figure. Record version 3.

Educational information, not a loan offer or an eligibility decision. Read the disclaimer or how we verify programs.