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September 24, 2026
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Garret Stembridge
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If you’ve been looking for help with the cost of buying a home, you’ve probably come across down payment assistance (DPA). Hoper often gets grouped with DPA, but the two work very differently. Most DPA is a grant or a loan with conditions. Hoper participants earn income that they keep.
Traditional DPA helps many buyers, and it can be a good option. It usually comes with conditions, though.
Most DPA is either a grant or a second loan that covers part of your down payment or closing costs. The amount depends on the program. When it’s a loan, it’s often a second lien on your home that you repay. Some are forgivable, but only if you stay in the home for five to ten years. Many programs have strict income limits, and some charge a higher mortgage rate to fund the assistance. Read the terms carefully so you know what you’re agreeing to.
The Hoper program isn’t a grant, a second loan, or down payment assistance. It’s run by Attainable Housing Advocates, a social innovation company that develops programs to help homeowners succeed over the long term. Hoper stands for Home Ownership Promotion, Education, and Research.
Eligible participants earn up to 5% of the purchase price, capped at $16,000, as 1099 income. To earn it, they complete a financial education course before closing, include a fully owned solar system in their mortgage, and work with a financial mentor after closing.
Because the money is earned income, Hoper doesn’t place a second lien on your home, there’s no forgiveness period, and you don’t pay anything back. Your mortgage rate is set by your lender, the same as it would be without Hoper. The earnings go toward closing costs or cash reserves, as your lender’s guidelines allow. Most participants already have their down payment covered, and after closing, many use their reserves to pay down debt or rebuild savings. For the full step-by-step process, see how the Hoper program works.
You can also see our side-by-side comparison page.
Most DPA focuses on getting you to the closing table. Hoper is also built for the years after closing, which is when many new homeowners run into trouble. Buyers often spend most of their savings to close, so an unexpected repair or a job change can quickly become a serious problem.
Hoper addresses that in three ways:
• Earned income that can go toward cash reserves, so you start with savings
• Financial education and mentorship before and after closing
• An owned solar system that keeps energy costs lower and more predictable
A traditional DPA program may be a better fit if you need help covering the down payment itself and you’re comfortable with income limits and possible repayment terms.
Hoper may be a better fit if you already have your down payment covered and want income you keep, no second lien, and support after closing. The home also needs its own roof for the solar system. See who qualifies for Hoper for the full requirements. If you’re still researching the program itself, read Is Hoper legit?
Is Hoper a down payment assistance program?
No. DPA is usually a grant or second loan toward your down payment. Hoper participants earn up to $16,000 as 1099 income for taking part in its homeownership research, and the money goes toward closing costs or cash reserves.
Do I have to pay Hoper earnings back?
No. There’s no loan and no second lien on your home. The earnings are income that you keep.
Why is solar part of Hoper?
The fully owned solar system is part of how the program works, and it belongs to you. It lowers your energy costs for as long as you own the home.
Can I use Hoper to refinance?
Yes. Hoper works for refinancing as well as home purchases, and the program is the same for both.
Are Hoper earnings taxed?
Yes. The earnings are reported as 1099 income, so they’re taxable. A tax professional can explain how they affect your return.
If you're buying a home with an FHA loan, you may have heard about Hoper and wondered how the two compare. The short answer: they aren't competing options. An FHA loan is a mortgage. Hoper is a program that works alongside your mortgage. You don't have to choose one or the other. You can use both on the same home.
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When you apply for an FHA loan, your lender looks closely at one number: your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. It shows how much of your monthly income already goes to debt. The standard FHA limits are 31% and 43%, but many buyers are approved above that. This guide explains the limits, how they're calculated, and what you can do if your numbers are close.
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"Earn up to $16,000 while you buy a home" is the kind of claim that makes people stop and ask questions. Where does the money come from? What can you spend it on? Do you have to pay it back? And does the IRS get a share? This article answers each of those, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
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Your journey can also become a success story; join Hoper.
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