CHFA Schools To Home: Down Payment Help for Colorado Teachers & Educators

What is CHFA Schools To Home?

CHFA Schools To Home is a new shared appreciation down payment assistance program for full-time Colorado public school employees, funded by the Public School Permanent Fund. Expected to launch in July 2026, it offers up to 25% of your first mortgage as a second mortgage for down payment, closing costs, prepaids, or principal reduction.

Unlike standard CHFA DPA capped at $25,000 or 3–4%, Schools To Home scales with your loan size — on a $400,000 mortgage, 25% assistance equals $100,000 in help. This makes it one of the most generous educator housing programs in the country.

Who qualifies as a Colorado educator?

At least one borrower must be a full-time employee of a Colorado pre-K through 12 public school, school district, charter school, institute charter school, BOCES, or innovation zone. You must be designated full-time by your employer at application and closing.

Eligible employers include Poudre School District, Thompson School District, Greeley-Evans District 6, Windsor charter schools, and hundreds of other CDE-listed organizations. Verify your employer on the Colorado Department of Education website.

• Full-time public school employees
• Charter and institute charter school staff
• BOCES and innovation zone employees
• Household income at or below $178,920
• Minimum 620 credit score and $1,000 contribution

Understanding shared appreciation

Schools To Home uses a shared appreciation model. When you sell, refinance, pay off the loan, or no longer use the home as your primary residence, you repay the DPA plus a share of any home appreciation. The share equals your original DPA amount divided by the original purchase price, multiplied by the appreciation.

If the home has not appreciated, shared appreciation is zero — you only repay the DPA balance. This keeps the program sustainable for future educators while giving you a path to build equity today.

How educators in Northern Colorado can prepare now

Even before the July 2026 launch, educators can take CHFA-approved homebuyer education, check credit scores, save the minimum $1,000 contribution, and connect with a CHFA Participating Lender. Many educators may already qualify under existing CHFA SmartStep or FirstStep programs today.

SAA Homes works with educators across Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley — helping you understand program timing, search within limits, and coordinate with lenders before and after Schools To Home launches.