HOPEful Advice

Learn More About Housing and Finances Around Evansville, IN

By Nikki Waller 30 May, 2023
To qualify for HOPE’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program you must be below 80% AMI for Vanderburgh County. These income limits change every year, and 2023 income limits have just been released. The row labeled “Low (80%) Income Limits ($)” is the maximum income you can have to qualify for DPA based on your family size. Family size is outlined across the top of the chart. For example, if you are single (1 person on the mortgage) and have one dependent and your gross income is below $55,900, you could qualify for DPA.Gross income is your income before taxes are taken out. What counts as income? Guaranteed hours at your job, this does not include overtime paid.Child support if it is court ordered and received. Counselors will use a receipt of the last 365 days received child support. Social Security/SSI/SSDI, pension, retirement income, dividends, etc.Section 8, TANF, or SNAP benefits do not count as income.This is not an exhaustive list, our counselor can speak more directly to your situation.Ready to see if you qualify? Join us for Fair Shot to get started. Starting through Fair Shot will waive the $35 application fee.
By Nikki Waller 13 May, 2022
To qualify for HOPE’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program you must be below 80% AMI for Vanderburgh County. These income limits change every year, and 2022 income limits have just been released. The row labeled “Low (80%) Income Limits ($)” is the maximum income you can have to qualify for DPA based on your family size. Family size is outlined across the top of the chart. For example, if you are single (1 person on the mortgage) and have one dependent and your gross income is below $48,750, you could qualify for DPA.Gross income is your income before taxes are taken out. What counts as income? Guaranteed hours at your job, this does not include overtime paid.Child support if it is court ordered and received. Counselors will use a receipt of the last 365 days received child support. Social Security/SSI/SSDI, pension, retirement income, dividends, etc.Section 8, TANF, or SNAP benefits do not count as income.This is not an exhaustive list, our counselor can speak more directly to your situation.Ready to see if you qualify? Join us for Fair Shot to get started. Starting through Fair Shot will waive the $35 application fee.
By Nikki Waller 24 Mar, 2022
Thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy Foundation, HOPE is able to provide financial assistance for rent, mortgage, water utility, or debt reduction. With this program, HOPE will also provide budget counseling and participants will have the opportunity to move forward with credit counseling as well. CenterPoint Energy’s charitable foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. The Foundation's finances are independent and separate from the company and may not be used directly toward energy assistance.This assistance is available to people under 80% AMI (see if you qualify here) and are CenterPoint customers. This application is currently closed. Follow us on Facebook for updates on when it will open again.
By Nikki Waller 22 Dec, 2021
The 2022 Raise the Roof E-Mail Campaign is here to help you achieve your goals in 2022.
By Blackstrap Media 01 Nov, 2021
Facing home foreclosure can be one of the scariest and most stressful experiences you’ll ever go through. And unfortunately, you’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic hit American homeowners hard . As the unemployment rate skyrocketed, so did foreclosures. Despite the overall economic recovery during the second half of 2020, the national foreclosure rate rose by 16% in February 2021 alone .
By Blackstrap Media 04 Oct, 2021
Raise your hand if you weren’t taught how to budget or save for a mortgage while you were in school. For many people, this is the case. Learning how to become money-wise can feel overwhelming. If you’re struggling just to figure out where this month’s rent is going to come from, it can feel impossible to even consider larger financial goals, such as buying a home.
By Blackstrap Media 02 Aug, 2021
Historically speaking, there’s been a shortage of affordable housing options for many families living in Evansville. We’re committed to changing that. Our wonderful partnership with the NRP tax credit program has given us the resources needed to change the local affordable housing landscape.
By Blackstrap Media 05 Jul, 2021
The current housing market in Evansville is experiencing a massive shortage of affordable housing , which can keep many local residents from being able to fulfill the American dream of homeownership.
By Nikki Waller 28 Jun, 2021
FHA Updates Student Loan Debt Policies Making Mortgage Credit More AccessibleThe Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced updates to the monthly mortgage payment calculation for borrowers with student loans (read the full press release here).Who it helps               This helps anyone with student loan debt, but the benefits will be felt most by people of color and people ages 25-49. These people are typically first-time homebuyers and make up roughly 80 percent of FHA insured mortgages.“This announcement enhances FHA’s ability to serve one of its core demographics—first-time homebuyers. Over 80 percent of FHA-insured mortgages are for first-time homebuyers on average each year. FHA estimates that more than 45 percent of these borrowers also have student loan debt, with much of this debt impacting people of color.”What it doesThe new policy calculates the monthly payment based on the actual monthly student loan payment, rather than the previous policy which calculated the payment as one percent of the total outstanding student loan balance. The monthly payment will typically be calculated as lower and therefore it will be easier for people with student loan debt to be accepted for an FHA insured mortgage.
By Nikki Waller 11 Jun, 2021
Fair Shot for June & August have been canceled. We will resume class in July and follow the schedule on our flyer.  Remember, if you complete both classes, you will get a coupon to Azzip Pizza as well a free one-on-one financial coaching! Here is our updated schedule.
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