The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) offers home buyers immediate advantages with its standout NACA program.
With the NACA mortgage, you can expect no down payment, no closing costs, and flexible criteria concerning credit scores and income levels.
As a proven path to homeownership, NACA has already assisted thousands of families in securing their dream homes. Let’s dive into how it can benefit you.
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NACA, or the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, is a non-profit organization dedicated to economic justice through homeownership and community advocacy. Its mission focuses on providing affordable housing solutions and financial counseling to ensure people of all economic backgrounds can purchase their dream homes.
NACA offers a variety of housing programs for both home buyers, homeowners, and renters. Among these, the NACA Home Purchase program, which is branded as “America’s Best Mortgage,” is a specialized loan program designed to provide accessible mortgage options without the financial hurdles typical of traditional loans, such as down payments and high interest rates.
The NACA program offers a suite of benefits that make homeownership more accessible and affordable, particularly for first-time home buyers and those with low-to-moderate income.
Here’s what distinguishes the NACA mortgage from more conventional mortgage products:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted NACA certification to operate as a nonprofit organization. Moreover, all NACA programs are part of a broader effort to support individuals in overcoming economic barriers to homeownership.
Instead of directly underwriting mortgages, NACA prepares its members for homeownership through comprehensive counseling and a thorough application procedure. Members are then paired with partnered banks that offer financing.
With this in mind, the NACA program stands apart from traditional mortgage pathways. Rather than prioritizing credit scores, it emphasizes the importance of a consistent payment history over the prior 12 months, such as timely rent payments. While welcoming individuals of all income brackets, the NACA program is particularly beneficial for those earning below their area’s median income (AMI).
Before making the leap, those who are interested in the NACA home buying program must fully understand its requirements and features. This is because, in order to be eligible for this unique home buying assistance program, applicants must fulfill a number of requirements.
| Feature | Details |
| Credit score | No minimum credit score. Instead, a focus on 12-month payment history (e.g., rent). |
| No PMI | No private mortgage insurance is required. |
| No income limits | Open to all income levels. Best for those below an area's median income. |
| Loan limits | Follows area's conforming loan limits:Standard: $ High-cost areas: $ |
| DTI ratio | Max 40–43% of gross monthly income. Mortgage payment ≤ 31% of gross monthly income. |
| Payment shock savings | Must save the difference between a new mortgage and current rent for 3-6 months. |
| Eligible property types | Owner-occupied primary residences only (including multi-family with certain requirements). |
| NACA membership | $25/year. Volunteering for advocacy campaigns is required. |
To help prospective NACA homeowners understand what’s expected of them and how they might fit within the program’s criteria, here’s a comprehensive guide to NACA program requirements.
With most mortgage programs, you typically need a minimum credit score of 580 to 620 to qualify.
The NACA program, on the other hand, doesn’t rely on credit scores. Instead, the program examines your payment history over the previous 12 months. NACA wants to see that you’ve consistently paid your rent and other obligations on time over the last year.
If your credit score falls short of the typical minimums, NACA’s approach could be invaluable.
As you begin the process of buying a home through NACA, you’ll be required to become a NACA member. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has certified NACA as a nonprofit organization.
Membership dues are currently $25 a year, which is reasonable. But as a NACA member, you’ll also pledge to volunteer for NACA’s advocacy campaigns in your area.
NACA members enjoy several additional benefits:
The NACA program takes a unique approach to income requirements. Unlike many affordable mortgage options, NACA doesn’t impose strict income limits on potential borrowers. Instead, it uses the area median income (AMI) to categorize members and determine their home-buying options.
This membership initiative allows NACA to balance its goals of promoting affordable homeownership and fostering community development.
Priority members in the NACA program are those who earn less than their area’s median income. These borrowers enjoy significant flexibility in their home-buying journey, with access to a wide range of options and full program benefits.
Key aspects for priority members:
Non-priority members are those whose incomes exceed the AMI for their area. While they can still participate in the NACA program, they face certain restrictions designed to align with NACA’s community development goals. This requirement ensures that higher-income buyers contribute to the development and revitalization of neighborhoods that need investment.
Key aspects for non-priority members:
Regardless of priority status, all members must meet other NACA program requirements, such as debt-to-income ratios and payment shock savings.
NACA loans cannot exceed the conforming loan limit for an area. In 2024, the limit for a single-family home is $ in most areas and $ in high-cost areas.
This means that the purchase price of the home you’re considering should align with these limits to qualify for a NACA loan.
As a general rule of thumb, your total monthly debt payments, including your future mortgage payments, shouldn’t exceed 40% to 43% of your gross monthly income. This is known as your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.
Also, NACA limits borrowers’ mortgage payments to 31% of their gross monthly income.
For instance, if your pre-tax monthly income is $4,000, your monthly mortgage payment would have to be $1,240 or less to be eligible for the NACA program.
If your new mortgage payment exceeds your current rent, you’re required to maintain “payment shock” savings to compensate for the payment difference.
Let’s say you pay $1,000 per month for rent, but your new mortgage payment will be $1,300 per month. NACA will require that you save an extra $300 every month (for a minimum of 3 to 6 months) before you’re qualified. You must keep this money in savings throughout the closing.
You can only use the NACA home purchase program to buy an owner-occupied primary residence. This includes single-family homes and units in condos, co-ops, and other mixed-use buildings.
You can’t use any NACA programs to buy a second home or an investment property. Nor can you use NACA if you own other properties.
The only exception is if you’re buying a multi-family home. You can live in one of the units and rent out the others. Before qualifying, though, NACA requires the completion of a “recognized” landlord training course. Also, you must maintain at least two months of mortgage payments in reserves.
Obstacles to homeownership like high down payments, strict credit requirements, and a lack of financial literacy frequently discourage first-time home buyers. NACA directly addresses these challenges and provides a lifeline to those who are underserved by traditional mortgage lenders.
NACA housing programs feature benefits such as no down payments, flexible credit score minimums, comprehensive housing counseling, and the potential for financial assistance with closing costs, making homeownership accessible and affordable for many. Here’s what you should know about NACA programs.
Branded as “America’s Best Mortgage,” this NACA Home Purchase program is designed to remove the financial barriers that often prevent individuals from buying a home. Among several offerings that NACA calls its economic justice loans, this mortgage program is designed to make homeownership more affordable.
The HOT-PHA allows Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher recipients to become homeowners by combining their vouchers with NACA program benefits.
This NACA program, in partnership with local housing authorities, provides residents with an opportunity to buy vacant properties for just one dollar, along with financing for any necessary renovations or new construction.
NACA provides affordable, high-quality modular homes that are designed to exceed standard building codes and offer a cost-effective solution for families looking to own a home.
This NACA housing program allows home buyers to finance both a home purchase and any necessary renovations, all with one mortgage. This loan includes features like a rehab escrow and support through NACA’s HAND department for a seamless renovation process.
Through this program, NACA homeowners have a refinancing option to fund critical home repairs and renovations. Eligible home improvements must improve living conditions while preserving the home’s value.
The Home-Save Program is intended to prevent foreclosure and assist distressed homeowners with unaffordable mortgages, with a focus on permanent, affordable loan term adjustments.
NACA provides extensive housing counseling to both prospective home buyers and current homeowners. This NACA program is a cornerstone of the organization’s efforts to ensure individuals are well-prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership and to assist homeowners in maintaining their investments affordably.
This NACA program offers housing counseling and advocacy to support renters through education and access to resources.
Buying a home with no down payment or closing costs probably sounds like a pretty good deal. It might even sound too good to be true.
The catch? You can’t walk into a bank or contact an online lender and ask for a NACA loan. Instead, you’d need to complete the entire NACA process, join the advocacy group, and work with an in-house counselor who analyzes your personal finances.
This is the first step to getting a NACA mortgage. The workshop not only provides information about homeownership but also explains how the NACA program works in detail. Workshops are held multiple times throughout the month in different cities.
To find a workshop near you, visit naca.com. If you can’t drive to a NACA office, you can attend a virtual homeownership workshop.
You’re also required to meet with a housing counselor. Your counselor reviews your income and current debts to gauge your financial readiness to purchase a home. They’ll determine how much you can spend on a house.
If you’re not financially ready, your counselor will provide instructions on becoming NACA-qualified and then help monitor your progress.
Once you’re NACA-qualified, you’ll attend a home purchase workshop to learn more about the home buying process. You’re also assigned an in-house real estate agent who you’ll work with to find a home within your budget.
A NACA qualification is only valid for six months. If you don’t buy a house within this timeframe, you’ll have to re-qualify.
Once you’ve found a house, contact your housing counselor to request a qualification letter. This letter proves that you’re qualified to buy the home. You’ll include it with your purchase offer.
Homes financed with a NACA mortgage must be in good condition. A NACA-approved home inspector and pest control company will visit the property. Issues with the property must be fixed before closing.
Next, you’ll meet with a NACA-approved mortgage lender to complete the home loan application process. NACA doesn’t create loans. Instead, a private lender (typically Bank of America) issues funds.
Your in-house mortgage consultant will confirm that you’re still NACA-qualified. In addition, they’ll check to ensure that your income, employment, debt load, and credit history remain positive.
The lender begins processing your loan and then schedules a closing date.
You can also take advantage of NACA’s Membership Assistance Program (MAP). This post-purchase assistance includes additional homeownership, budgeting guidance, and hardship relief.
The NACA program offers comprehensive support services to help first-time home buyers navigate the complexities of purchasing a home. These services are designed to ensure that NACA members are well-prepared for homeownership and can maintain their homes long-term.
NACA’s housing counseling is a cornerstone of their support services. Each home buyer works with a dedicated NACA counselor, who provides:
Preparing borrowers for the responsibilities of owning a home is essential, and that’s why individualized housing counseling is so important.
The NACA home program offers ongoing financial assistance to help members achieve and maintain financial stability.
These services aim to ensure that NACA homeowners are financially prepared for the long-term commitment of a mortgage.
NACA’s support doesn’t end at the closing table. The organization provides ongoing assistance to NACA homeowners.
This ongoing support helps ensure the long-term success of NACA homeowners and contributes to stable communities.
When considering the NACA mortgage, it’s essential to weigh its unique advantages against its potential limitations.
Not everyone needs the NACA Best in America Mortgage. Even borrowers who face credit or down payment challenges can find other solutions.
Down payment assistance programs provide grants and low-interest second mortgages to help cover a borrower’s down payment. They can sometimes pay for closing costs as well. These programs tend to be local; ask your Realtor about programs near you.
You won’t have to repay a down payment grant. And with a low-interest loan, the company might postpone repayment until you sell or refinance the home.
Similarly, many programs make the dream of homeownership financially easier for first-time homebuyers. Along with down payment and closing cost assistance programs, several mortgage programs allow low down payments.
For example, some conventional loans require as little as 3% down, even if your credit score is 580. You might even be eligible for a VA or USDA loan, which requires no down payment.
This non-profit organization provides grants up to 5% of the loan amount and 0% interest on forgivable loans (forgiven after three years). These can be used to help cover your down payment requirement.
The National Home Buyer Fund is available in all 50 states, and you do not have to be a first-time home buyer to qualify.
The Chenoa Fund provides down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes. You can use the fund with both conventional and FHA loans. This program provides different solutions, such as a 10-year down payment loan and a down payment second mortgage forgivable after 36 months.
To qualify for the NACA program, you must either earn a low or moderate income for your area or purchase a home in a targeted “priority area.” In addition, you must buy a home to use as your primary residence; you can’t own any other properties; and you must have sufficient income and/or cash reserves to cover your future mortgage payments. Finally, you must participate in NACA’s homeowner education courses and work with a NACA counselor and an approved mortgage lender.
What is the income limit for NACA?The NACA mortgage program doesn’t have income limits. However, your income determines where you can buy a property. If your income is below the median income for the area, you can purchase a home anywhere in the area. If your income is higher than the median income, you can only purchase in “priority areas.” These are low-to-moderate-income housing communities.
What credit score is needed for NACA?The NACA program doesn’t have minimum credit score requirements, so you may qualify with bad credit. However, the program does review your payment history. To qualify, you must make on-time debt payments (including rent) for at least 12 consecutive months prior to qualifying.
How long does it take to buy a house with NACA?Once you have a signed purchase agreement, NACA says its mortgage process takes 28 days from “contract to close.” However, the full home-buying process from start to finish takes longer. Sometimes it can take a borrower about three months to get NACA-qualified. Once you have it, NACA approval is valid for six months. If you don’t buy a home within this timeframe, you must re-qualify.
Do you have to be a first-time homebuyer with NACA?You don’t have to be a first-time homebuyer to use the NACA purchase program. Keep in mind, though, that you cannot own any other properties at the time of closing. Also, anyone living in a property purchased with a NACA mortgage can’t have ownership interest in another property.
What banks does NACA work with?The NACA organization doesn’t issue loans. Rather, it works with private mortgage lenders to provide funding for borrowers. Currently, Bank of America is NACA’s largest partner and the only financial institution it uses to create loans. In the past, NACA has had partnerships with Fleet Bank and CitiMortgage.
Can you sell a home you bought with NACA?Yes, you can sell a home purchased with a NACA mortgage. The process is similar to selling any other home. Keep in mind that you can receive real estate services through the post-purchase member assistance program (MAP). If you’ve lived in a NACA home for at least three years, you’re eligible to purchase another home through the program.
Is there a catch with the NACA program?The NACA program might seem too good to be true, but it’s helped hundreds of thousands of families find affordable homes—with no down payment, closing costs, credit score hurdles, or PMI. However, you must meet specific program requirements. These include completing a free homeownership workshop, working with a housing counselor, meeting financial requirements, and attending a homebuyer workshop. You must also join NACA and advocate for its cause of making homeownership more affordable.
What are NACA mortgage rates?Borrowers who apply for a NACA mortgage receive a rate that’s below current market rates, thus increasing affordability. Interest rates vary according to market trends but include both 30-year and 15-year fixed rates.
How much will NACA approve me for?With any mortgage, your loan size depends on your personal finances. Lenders won’t approve a loan you can’t afford. That said, lenders also cap loan sizes, even if you could afford a bigger loan. For NACA-brokered loans, those loan limits match those for other conventional loans. In 2024, that’s $726,200 in most areas.
Does everyone get approved with NACA?The NACA program doesn’t check credit scores. Still, not everyone gets approved for a NACA loan. Housing counselors check a borrower’s rent and debt payments for the past 12 months. Someone who’s missed several payments recently may not qualify yet. However, your counselor will coach you toward achieving eligibility.
The NACA program can seriously lower the barrier to buying a home. But not all borrowers will qualify.
Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives to the NACA program that can help reduce the upfront cost of buying a house and put affordable homeownership within reach. From low- and no-down-payment mortgages to down payment assistance, many buyers can get into a new home with very little out of pocket.
Not sure whether you qualify? You can check your home buying eligibility with a lender starting right here.