Empowering first-generation homeownership in West Tennessee

Rise Up Program

Rise Up is a down payment assistance program that provides $25,000 grants to first-time, first-generation homebuyers.

The program is administered by United Housing and funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLB) to expand access to homeownership across West Tennessee.

Whether you’re a participating FHLB Member Bank or a potential homebuyer, this page will help you understand the program, access the application process and find the documents you need to get started.

Overview

  • Grant Amount: $25,000

  • Purpose: Down payment, closing costs or principal reduction

  • Available In: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton and Weakly Counties

  • Who Applies: An FHLB Member Bank applies on behalf of the homebuyer

  • Availability: First-come, first-served (launching September 2025)

  • To receive Rise Up funding, homebuyers must:

    • Be a first-time, first-generation homebuyer

      • First-time: Not owned a home in the past 3 years

      • First-generation: Parents/guardians have never owned a home OR buyer was in the foster care system

    • Have household income at or below 120% of the HUD MTSP income limit for their county

    • Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. United Housing provides in-person options in Shelby County and virtual opportunities for anyone across the state. You can learn about upcoming classes here.

    • Contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward the purchase

    • Purchase an eligible primary residence (single-family, townhome, condo, or 2–4 unit property)

    See Information for Homebuyers (PDF) for more.

  • Eligible Properties Must:

    • Be located in one of the 21 West Tennessee Counties listed in this section or within this document.

    • Serve as the buyer’s primary residence

    • Be attached to a permanent foundation and taxed as real estate

    • Include the required retention agreement in the deed, enforceable for 5 years

  • All homes purchased with Rise Up funds must remain the homeowner’s primary residence for 5 years. If sold, transferred, or refinanced before that, some or all funds may need to be repaid unless an exception applies.

    To request payoff documentation, see the Subsidy Payoff Request Form and Retention Guidelines.

How to apply

All applications must be processed through a mortgage lending officer at a bank or financial institution that is a member of FHLB Cincinnati.

If you’re a prospective homebuyer who is interested in the Rise Up Program, start by finding a member lender near you.

  1. Find an FHLB Cincinnati Member Bank by clicking the link below and searching for the bank closest to you.

  2. Start a mortgage application through an FHLB Member and follow their process.

  3. Take a Homebuyer Education Course with a HUD-certified partner, like United Housing. You can see our upcoming in-person and virtual classes here.

Not ready to get started, but want to know what you’ll need to apply? View our Checklist for Reservation Requests for a list of required materials.

Contact us.

If you’re a lender at an FAHB Cincinnati member institution with questions, reach out to us today using this form.

If you’re an individual interested in the Rise Up Program, the first step toward enrolling is to connect with a financial partner. You can do that by clicking the button below and searching for the institution nearest you.