Resident Resources

The Homebuying HERO Program  

The City of Fayetteville believes that homeownership does not have to feel like an unattainable goal. Administered by the City’s Economic and Community Development Department, the Homebuying HERO program provides first-time homebuyers with up to $20,000 in gap financing towards the purchase of their first home as a forgivable loan at zero percent interest. The home must be within the city limits of Fayetteville. This program no longer requires the potential first-time homebuyer to match funds.

The first step a potential homebuyer must take is to attend the First Time Homebuyers Workshop, which equips potential homeowners with the knowledge and resources to be successful long-term homeowners. The homebuyer will then attend personalized 1-on-1 counseling with a HUD-certified housing counseling agency before they are eligible to apply for the program.

All applications must be submitted through a participating lender.

What type of Homebuying HERO will you be?

For full details, please review our program guidelines here. 

• The Homebuying HERO Program policies and procedures manual Updated 6/27/2024

Looking for a lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage? 

• Find a Lender

Need help finding a real estate agent?

•  NCHFA Real Estate Search tool 

Other Downpayment Assistance Programs available

• North Carolina Housing Finance Agency NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

  • For those who qualify, this assistance can be combined with the Homebuying HERO program to provide even more assistance.

First Time Homebuyer Workshop 

These workshops are designed for first-time homebuyers. Participants will gain an understanding of the entire home buying process, including budgeting for homeownership, shopping for a home, obtaining a mortgage, closing procedures, and the responsibilities of maintaining the home after purchase. The homebuyer workshops are conducted by Kingdom Community Development Corporation and are offered every fourth Saturday of the month at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Residents who participate have completed a pre-requisite for down payment assistance and may apply after selecting a lender, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and finding a home. 

To register for upcoming classes please click here.

Other Downpayment Assistance Programs

NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment - If you are a first-time home buyer or military veteran and qualify for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage™, you may be eligible for $15,000 in down payment assistance with the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment. Click the links for more information. This program is offered through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) - The CPLP is the Agency’s most generous down payment assistance program for eligible low- and moderate-income home buyers. Borrowers can receive up to 25% of the sales price or a maximum loan of $50,000, whichever is less. Our assistance is provided as a zero interest, subordinate loan that must be combined with an  NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ or a USDA Section 502 Direct loan. Borrowers must apply for assistance working with a participating CPLP member. Click the links for more information. This program is offered through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

Rebuild NC Homeownership Assistance Program - Eligible applicants can receive up to $30,000 of the sales price in down payment assistance in addition to receiving closing costs assistance up to 5% of the sales price. The program will also offer homebuyer education and counseling. Click the link for more information.

The City of Fayetteville also partners with Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable homes for eligible residents in Fayetteville. To qualify for the Fayetteville Habitat for Humanity program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate need
• Demonstrate ability to pay
• Be willing to partner through sweat equity

Please contact Habitat for Humanity to complete the Orientation Registration Form.

Preparing for Homeownership

Below is a list of relevant blog posts about various homeownership factors that will prepare you for homeownership:

• Tax Implications of Home Ownership
• How to Minimize Your Closing Costs
• Understanding Mortgage Interest Rates
• Homeownership Matters Blog

The City of Fayetteville is committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, familial status, or national origin.

Click here for more fair housing resources from the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. 

Fair housing laws are intended to allow everyone equal access to housing. State and Federal fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in the housing market on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, or familial status.

Listed below are North Carolina fair housing resources:

• NC Human Relations Commission: Housing Discrimination
• Filing a Housing Discrimination Complaint in North Carolina
• File a realtor complaint (NC Real Estate Commission)

Homeowner Rehabilitation and Emergency Home Repair

Funds are provided to the City by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program to offer a minor home repair program. The objective of the programs is to assist with emergency repairs and improve the housing conditions for low to moderate income homeowners; increase the supply of decent, safe and sanitary housing; and encourage revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods.

The City of Fayetteville partners with Fayetteville Urban Ministry and the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity to administer the program. To complete application process and determine eligibility, please contact Fayetteville Urban Ministry at 910-483-5944 or Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity at 910-483-0952.

Listed below are renter resources offered through various organizations:

• Rental Help: North Carolina
• Fayetteville Urban Ministries: Emergency Assistance Program
• Connections of Cumberland County - Connect 2 Redirect (C2R): This program is for single mothers with at least one child under the age of 18. Program participants receive support as they secure housing and employment.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): federally funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.
• Fair Housing Project
• Legal Aid: Eviction Guide
• Tenant Rights Clinic

Job Skills Opportunities 

The department partners with other agencies to offer various job-skills. Click the links below to view resources available through our Community Partnerships.

• Job Skills Training with Fayetteville Technical Community College
• Adult Day Vocational Skills Program with CREST NC
• Job Skills Training and Self-Sufficiency with Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority
• ESL Career Readiness Program with the Adult Literacy and Education Center at Fayetteville Urban Ministry 
• Employment Services for Veterans at ServiceSource and Veterans Bridge Home
• Re-Entry services, including employment assistance and training, with the Fayetteville-Cumberland Re-Entry Council through a community partnership with Mid-Carolina Regional Council

Medical Assistance

The department partners with medical assisting agencies such as Better Health and Cumberland HealthNet to aid residents who are uninsured or underinsured to assist residents with getting the medical assistance they need.

NC Medicaid provides healthcare to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. Click here to see if you qualify for NC Medicaid and apply for coverage.

The NC Department of Insurance assists seniors with Medicare through the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Click here to learn more information about SHIIP and get assistance with finding the right Medicare programs for you, or call SHIIP at 855-408-1212.

The Economic and Community Development department assists in and promotes the development of housing opportunities for our residents and families that are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of becoming homeless. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable dwelling; therefore, we continue to work towards the prevention of unfair housing practices that may contribute to homelessness. 

The City of Fayetteville is actively creating new partnerships to help combat homelessness within the city limits. Resources can be found at the Fayetteville CARES Day Resource Center or through the Fayetteville Cumberland County Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Please click here for more information on available resources.