The "Start Home Program" also called the Individual Development Account (IDA) Program, sponsored by Citizens Bank, is a savings program that helps low income households save for down payment and closing costs assistance to buy a home. The IDA Program offers eligible individuals/households the opportunity to save for a future asset, obtain financial fitness training and home ownership training. IDA accounts are "matched" saving accounts that match every $1 saved with a $3 match. An eligible individual can save $2000 over a 2 year period and receive a match of $6000 for a total of $8000 to be applied toward down payment and closing cost assistance to buy a home.

IDA's are designed to help low-income and low-wealth families accumulate high return investments in home ownership. Attendance at a Home Buyer Seminar and Financial Fitness Training is a perquisite to enrollment in the IDA program. The program requires a total of 12 hours of home ownership and financial fitness training every year the participant is in the program.

Who is Eligible?

• Individuals/Households who are TANF eligible
• Individuals/Households that are EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) eligible
• Individuals/Households that are 200% of poverty or below
• You must have earned income coming from the household
• AND, those eligible must pass a Net Worth test.

Enrollment is on a first come first serve base and there may be a waiting list if funds are not available.