Who Qualifies for Hoper? Eligibility Requirements Explained

Many programs that help with the cost of buying a home have income caps, credit score minimums, or first-time buyer rules. Hoper has none of those. There are still a few requirements, and one of them, the solar system, rules out certain types of homes. Here’s the full list.

First, what Hoper is for

The Hoper program is 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.

The first few years of owning a home are when buyers are most financially exposed. Many use most of their savings to close and have little left for a repair or a job change. Hoper is designed to help with that. Participants earn up to $13,000, complete financial education and mentorship, and own a solar system that lowers their energy bills. The requirements below follow from that design.

Buying or refinancing

Hoper works for both home purchases and refinancing, and the program is the same either way. You get your mortgage through your own lender, and your loan officer confirms that your loan works with Hoper.

Hoper is not a lender and doesn’t change your loan. Your interest rate and loan terms are set by your lender, the same as they would be without Hoper.

First-time buyers and repeat buyers both qualify

You don’t need to be a first-time homebuyer. If you’ve owned a home before, you can still take part. For more on how the program fits different situations, see Hoper for homebuyers.

No income limits

Hoper has no income restrictions. Many assistance programs exclude buyers who earn above a set amount. Hoper does not.

No minimum credit score from Hoper

Hoper doesn’t set a minimum credit score. Your lender still reviews your credit as part of your mortgage application and decides your loan terms, but Hoper doesn’t add a separate credit requirement.

The home needs its own roof

This is the requirement that rules out some homes. Every participant includes a fully owned solar system in their mortgage, so the home needs a roof that belongs to you and can hold solar panels.

• Usually a fit: single-family homes, and many manufactured homes

• Usually not a fit: most condos and some townhomes, where the roof is shared or owned by an HOA

If you’re shopping for a condo, Hoper probably won’t work for that purchase.

You complete education and mentorship

Hoper participants commit to two parts of the program:

• Before closing: a self-paced financial education course (4 to 6 hours, $149)

• After closing: financial mentorship (8 hours, $99)

This is where much of Hoper’s long-term value comes from. The education prepares you for the costs of owning a home, and the mentorship supports you during the first months after you move in.

You include owned solar in your mortgage

The solar system is included in your mortgage, and you own it outright. It isn’t a lease or a power purchase agreement. Owning it means lower energy costs for as long as you own the home.

See what you could earn

Enter your purchase price and state to get an estimate of your Hoper earnings.

How participants use their earnings

Eligible participants earn up to 3.5% of the purchase price, capped at $13,000, reported as 1099 income. The money goes toward closing costs or cash reserves, as your lender’s guidelines allow. Most participants already have their down payment covered. After closing, many use their reserves to pay down debt, rebuild savings, or keep a cushion for their first year in the home.

Because the earnings are 1099 income, they’re taxable. A tax professional can explain how that affects you.

Quick eligibility checklist

Hoper is likely a fit if:

• You’re buying or refinancing a home with its own roof

• You’re willing to complete the education course and mentorship

• You want to include an owned solar system in your mortgage

Hoper is likely not a fit if:

• You’re buying a condo or a home with a shared roof

• You don’t want solar on your home

For the full step-by-step process, see how the Hoper program works or the Hoper FAQ. If you’re still getting to know the program, read Is Hoper legit? or see how Hoper compares to down payment assistance.

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Is there an income limit for Hoper? No. Hoper has no income restrictions. Eligibility depends on the home, completing the education and mentorship, and including owned solar in your mortgage.

Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer to use Hoper? No. Repeat buyers qualify too, and Hoper works for refinancing as well as purchases.

Is there a minimum credit score for Hoper? Hoper doesn’t set one. Your lender reviews your credit and sets your loan terms as part of the normal mortgage process.

Can I use Hoper on a condo? Usually not. The home needs its own roof for the owned solar system, which most condos and some townhomes don’t have. Single-family homes are the most common fit.