CHFA Program · Colorado
CHFA HomeAccess
Down payment help for Colorado buyers living with a permanent disability, or raising a child or caring for a family member who is: a $25,000 deferred second mortgage, no matter the size of your loan.
Overview
A flat $25,000, not a percentage
Most CHFA assistance is a percentage of your first mortgage, which shrinks on a smaller loan. HomeAccess is different. It pairs an FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage from CHFA with a second mortgage of up to $25,000 regardless of the first mortgage amount. There is no monthly payment on the second, and it is repaid in full when you sell, refinance or stop living in the home as your primary residence.
The money can go toward your down payment, closing costs, prepaids, principal reduction or a permanent buydown on the first mortgage, per CHFA’s current program matrix.
Who it is for
Do you qualify for HomeAccess?
- You are living with a permanent disability, or you are the custodial parent (sole or joint custody) or legal guardian of a child or individual with a permanent disability
- The person with the disability lives in the home at least 50% of the time
- Household income up to $178,920, a single statewide limit regardless of county or household size
- You do not need to be a first-time homebuyer
- Minimum 620 credit score, or higher if FHA, VA or USDA requires it
- All borrowers complete a CHFA-approved homebuyer education course before closing (certificates are good for 12 months)
- If you hold a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher from an approved agency, your rental subsidy may be used to help you qualify
Source: CHFA HomeAccess Program Matrix, effective August 3, 2026.
The math, made clear
Why the flat amount matters
Standard CHFA second mortgage
$300,000 FHA first mortgage
- Assistance: lesser of $25,000 or 4% of the first mortgage
- 4% × $300,000 = $12,000
CHFA HomeAccess
Same $300,000 FHA first mortgage
- Assistance: up to $25,000 regardless of loan size
- $25,000, more than double the standard second
On a modest purchase, which is common for households managing disability-related costs, the flat amount can be the difference between buying and not. Both seconds are repaid when you sell or refinance, so the extra help is not free money, but it carries no shared-appreciation payment.
Illustrative example only, not a quote.
Compared
HomeAccess and CHFA’s other assistance
| Program | Assistance | Repaid? | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHFA HomeAccess | Up to $25,000, regardless of first mortgage | Yes, deferred until sale, refinance or move-out | Borrowers with a permanent disability, or custodial parents and guardians of someone who has one |
| CHFA down payment assistance grant | Lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the first mortgage | No | Any CHFA borrower within limits |
| CHFA down payment assistance second | Lesser of $25,000 or 4% of the first mortgage (up to $25,000 for first-generation buyers and people with a permanent disability) | Yes, deferred | Any CHFA borrower within limits |
| CHFA FirstGeneration | $25,000 second mortgage | Yes, deferred | First-time buyers whose parents never owned a home |
If you qualify for more than one, I price them side by side. A grant you never repay can still beat a larger second if you plan to move within a few years. See CHFA down payment assistance and CHFA FirstGeneration.
Getting ready
What you will need
- Documentation of the permanent disability, as CHFA requires, and of custody or guardianship if the disability is a family member’s
- Income documentation for everyone on the loan, including any benefits you want counted
- Your Housing Choice Voucher paperwork, if you have one
- A CHFA-approved homebuyer education certificate for every borrower
- Two months of statements for the account holding your funds to close
Accessibility and the house itself
HomeAccess helps you buy; it does not pay for modifications. If the home needs a ramp, a wider doorway or an accessible bathroom, plan for that cost up front and ask me whether a renovation loan makes sense alongside it.
FAQ
CHFA HomeAccess questions
Do I have to be a first-time buyer for HomeAccess?
No. CHFA’s current matrix does not restrict HomeAccess to first-time homebuyers.
Can I qualify if my child has the disability?
Yes, if you are the custodial parent with sole or joint custody, or the legal guardian, and your child lives in the home at least half the time.
What loan types work with HomeAccess?
FHA, VA and USDA purchase loans through CHFA.
Is the $25,000 a grant?
No. It is a second mortgage with no monthly payment that is repaid in full when you sell, refinance or the home is no longer your primary residence.
What is the income limit?
A statewide limit of $178,920 regardless of county or household size.
Related: CHFA down payment assistance · Colorado assistance compared · FHA loans · VA loans · USDA loans · Talk to David
CHFA programs are administered by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and offered through CHFA Participating Lenders, subject to CHFA guidelines, income limits and eligibility. Assistance amounts and terms are set by CHFA and subject to change. Examples are illustrations, not quotes. This is not a commitment to lend.
Let’s see if HomeAccess fits.
Tell me who in your household the program would cover, your income and your price range. I will confirm eligibility and run the numbers. Call (303) 557-3846 or start online.