Grants or Loans for Disabled Denver Residents

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Lender · Washington DC · Member since 2026 · 65 posts · 16 votes
2mo

Hi Alec,

The options for Primary Residences vs. Rentals are completely different when it comes to grants and subsidized interest rates:

1. Primary Residence Options (Grants & Subsidized Loans)

Grants and subsidized interest rates are strictly reserved for primary residences:

  • CHFA (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority): Offers preferred interest rate programs and down payment assistance/grants for Colorado residents, including programs tailored for individuals with disabilities receiving SSDI/SSI income.
  • City of Denver Housing Programs: Denver's Department of Housing Stability (HOST) offers Single-Family Home Rehabilitation and Home Accessibility Modification grants/low-interest loans specifically for residents with disabilities needing home improvements or accessibility retrofits.
  • Fannie Mae HomeReady / Freddie Mac Home Possible: These traditional loan products allow non-occupant co-signers and count disability income to help qualify for reduced interest rates and lower down payments.

2. Rental Property Options

Government grants and subsidized rates do not exist for investment/rental properties. For rental properties in Denver, you have to look at private/alternative financing:

  • DSCR Loans: If you are buying or refinancing a rental, Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans qualify you based on the property's rental cash flow rather than personal income or disability documentation.
  • Tapping Equity (HELOC / Cash-Out Refi): If you already own equity in a primary home or another rental, pulling a streamlined HELOC or cash-out refinance is often the most cost-effective way to fund a rental property purchase or renovation.

Hope this local breakdown helps guide your search!

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  • Lender · Washington DC · Member since 2026 · 65 posts · 16 votes
    2mo

    Hi Alec,

    The options for Primary Residences vs. Rentals are completely different when it comes to grants and subsidized interest rates:

    1. Primary Residence Options (Grants & Subsidized Loans)

    Grants and subsidized interest rates are strictly reserved for primary residences:

    • CHFA (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority): Offers preferred interest rate programs and down payment assistance/grants for Colorado residents, including programs tailored for individuals with disabilities receiving SSDI/SSI income.
    • City of Denver Housing Programs: Denver's Department of Housing Stability (HOST) offers Single-Family Home Rehabilitation and Home Accessibility Modification grants/low-interest loans specifically for residents with disabilities needing home improvements or accessibility retrofits.
    • Fannie Mae HomeReady / Freddie Mac Home Possible: These traditional loan products allow non-occupant co-signers and count disability income to help qualify for reduced interest rates and lower down payments.

    2. Rental Property Options

    Government grants and subsidized rates do not exist for investment/rental properties. For rental properties in Denver, you have to look at private/alternative financing:

    • DSCR Loans: If you are buying or refinancing a rental, Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans qualify you based on the property's rental cash flow rather than personal income or disability documentation.
    • Tapping Equity (HELOC / Cash-Out Refi): If you already own equity in a primary home or another rental, pulling a streamlined HELOC or cash-out refinance is often the most cost-effective way to fund a rental property purchase or renovation.

    Hope this local breakdown helps guide your search!

  • Alec Don WestermanPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    2mo

    Thanks again LaTarence! Great stuff.

    • Lender · Washington DC · Member since 2026 · 65 posts · 16 votes
      2mo
      Quote from @Alec Don Westerman:

      Thanks again LaTarence! Great stuff.


       You should check your inbox for more Information.

  • Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 434 posts · 248 votes
    1mo

    @Alec Don Westerman Something to keep in mind regarding Grants and Down payment assistance loans.  Virtually every Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program I have seen comes with a catch - they all have above market interest rates.  

    VA loans have 0% downpayment required, if you have a disability rating there is no VA funding fee. Take a strong look and getting a traditional VA loan to get the best interest rate and pricing possible. It is fairly easy to ask for seller paid closing costs, so you can walk into a new primary home with little to nothing spent on your end.

    If you get a DPA because it sounds nice to have 3%-5% additional downpayment, read the fine print. Is the interest rate and discount points (added closing costs to buy the interest rate down) higher then a normal VA loan? Can you refinance or sell the home at any time, without worrying about the terms and restrictions of the grant/DPA? Those are very real considerations.

    For VA - any time I stack a DPA against a normal VA loan, the better rates and pricing of a normal VA loan wins almost every time.

  • Alec Don WestermanPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    1mo

    Thanks again Zach! Looks like I might have gotten lucky for now and the CHFA loan might reduce interest rates if we do it with enough down for now. Wish I could qualify as a vet but don't unfortunately.

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