Down Payment Plus is a matching program that provides down payment and closing cost assistance for income-eligible homebuyers. The assistance is provided in the form of a forgivable grant paid on behalf of the borrower at the time the borrower closes on mortgage financing with a participating FHLBank Chicago member financial institution. Grants are forgiven on a monthly basis over a five-year retention period.

For DPP, the maximum grant amount is the lesser of: 1) $6,000; 2) three times the homebuyer's net contribution; or 3) 25% of the first mortgage amount. For DPP Advantage, the maximum grant amount is $6,000.

Program beneficiaries (borrowers) are required to complete both pre-purchase homebuyer education and counseling. Education must be delivered by a provider that has adopted the education component of the NIS or by an online provider approved by the FHLBank Chicago. Counseling must be delivered by a provider that has adopted the counseling component of the NIS.