2023 Home$tart®

Down payment and closing cost assistance for qualifying first time homebuyers.

Program Details

Home$tart® Application

Speed Up Your Reservation Process for Home$tart

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Home$tart® Reservation and Disbursement Approval Assistance

Tips for the top three challenges to successful and speedy processing

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Since 1995, FHLB Des Moines has awarded $155.7 million in down payment and closing cost assistance to help more than 32,700 families with the purchase of a home.

Through our Home$tart program, eligible households may receive up to $7,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance. 

As of September 18, 2023, Home$tart funds have been depleted.

Check back frequently as funds may become available as reservations are withdrawn. 

Additional funds will be added throughout the year based on the schedule below. The next funding date is on October 2, 2023.

As a reminder, please remember to monitor your pipeline for expiring reservations.

Processing Times for Reservations

PROCESSING TIMES FOR DISBURSEMENTS


2023 Home$tart Funding Schedule

Date of Funds Home$tart Amount
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 $1,500,000
Monday, April 3, 2023 $1,500,000
Monday, July 3, 2023 $1,500,000
Monday, October 2, 2023 $1,500,000

Home$tart Process

Click on one of the steps below to guide you through the Home$tart process.

  1. Get Started
  2. Reservation of Funds
  3. Disbursement/Reimbursement of Funds

Already know the process? Find the forms and resources you need here.

Questions? Contact our Community Investment Department at communityinvestment@fhlbdm.com.

Why participate in Home$tart?

  • Meet Community Reinvestment Act objectives to serve low- to moderate-income households
  • Provide grants to expand market share or increase penetration in existing markets
  • Improve loan-to-value ratios on mortgage loans
  • Build community goodwill
  • Promote your corporate brand
  • Help families in your community realize their homeownership dreams by providing down payment and closing cost assistance