“When looking for a home, you’re looking for peace,” says David Bynum, one half of the couple who received the Department’s 278th and last Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) loan for Fiscal Year 2006.  Since the Department first began offering downpayment and closing cost assistance in 1976, the District has helped more than 10,000 families acquire housing in the District.

HPAP provides downpayment and closing cost assistance in the form of second trust loans to first-time homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes who wish to live in the District.  Individuals can receive up to $70,000 in loan assistance and up to $7,000 in closing costs. 

Married for two years, Rosalie and David Bynum are Washingtonians who found the cost of purchasing a home out of their reach before learning about HPAP (with the average price of a home in the District being close to $430,000). Rosalie said that she had wanted a split foyer home with a basement, but found that style to be completely out of their price range.  They are quite satisfied with their purchase of a 3-bedroom duplex home in a well-maintained and quiet neighborhood.  Best of all, their new home is in the city of their birth.  In fact, David reminisced that this home is very close to where he and his 11 siblings were raised and played daily.  And, they can afford the home with their combined income of less than $50,000.  Their new home is valued in the mid-200’s and is located in the Southeast quadrant of the District.  Mrs. Bynum, with a huge smile, said, “It’s a great feeling to own your own home.”  They had previously lived in an apartment.

The Bynums began their search about one year ago.  Through inquiries and personal research, they found a non-profit called HomeFree, which prepares individuals for home ownership through education, and at the end of classes provides them with addresses of available residences.  Like many District residents, the Bynums started then stopped.  Mrs. Bynum said that some days they were up and other days they were down, discouraged by the high cost of available homes.  After completing the classes and being shown a number of unaffordable residences, HomeFree referred them to the Greater Washington Urban League and the HPAP program.