About the Program
The Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program provides down payment assistance to income-eligible, first-time homebuyers who have the capacity to purchase a home but lack the money needed for a down payment. We offer down payment assistance up to $10,000 as a five-year deferred payment loan with 0% interest. The loan does not need to be repaid as long as the funded homebuyer occupies their home as their principal residence for a period of at least five years. 

Please see the Homestretch Program Overview.

One Justice Square
446 West Crogan Street, Suite 420, Lawrenceville
Homestretch@GwinnettCounty.com
678.518.6008

To qualify for the Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a first-time homebuyer (or have not owned a home for three years or more)
• Earn below 80 percent of Area Median Income
• Have at least one credit score above 580
• Have a front-end debt-to-income ratio of 43 percent or below and back-end debt-to-income ration of 55 percent or below

View current income eligibility limits.

Properties must meet the following eligibility requirements to qualify for the Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program:

• Be either a single-family detached home or townhome
• Be located within Gwinnett County
• Pass a Uniform Property Conditions Standards Inspection
• May not cost more than $349,000 for an existing home or $410,000 for new construction. [Effective September 1, 2024]

Apply for the Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program with these simple steps:

1. Review eligibility requirements
2. Complete a Pre-Purchase Mortgage Counseling Class
3. Meet with a mortgage lender
4. Gather required documentation
   1. HUD-approved Pre-Purchase Mortgage Counseling Class certificate
   2. Preapproval Letter from a mortgage lender
   3. Three bureau full credit report with three credit scores
   4. Preapplication checklist
   5. Executed Purchase and Sale Agreement, if applicable
5. Complete and submit the Homestretch Program Preapplication Form, along with required documentation, to Homestretch@GwinnettCounty.com

Once an applicant’s eligibility is determined, a check for down payment funding will be drafted within 30 days.