The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, Inc. (NPHS) , and Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) are excited to open a second round of funding through the Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program (IEDPA), a transformative initiative designed to make homeownership more accessible for low- and moderate-income families in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
With $1.025 million in financial support from U.S. Bank, this program will provide critical financial assistance to first-time homebuyers, helping to close the region’s widening wealth gap and create opportunities for generational financial security.
Breaking Barriers to Homeownership
For many families, the biggest obstacle to purchasing a home is the down payment and closing costs. With home prices skyrocketing—rising from a median of $267,000 in 2014 to $580,000 in 2026— the dream of homeownership has become increasingly out of reach. A decade ago, 62% of Riverside County households and 73% of San Bernardino County households could afford an entry-level home. By early 2025, those figures had dropped to 40% and 49%, respectively.
To help bridge this affordability gap, the Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program will provide up to $40,000 in financial aid to qualifying first-time homebuyers. This assistance will come in the form of a deferred zero-percent loan for 30 years, meaning homeowners won’t have to make payments during that time, allowing them to focus on building equity and financial security.
A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Impact
IECF has partnered with NPHS and NHSIE to implement and manage the program, offering not just financial support, but also pre-purchase
counseling, community outreach, and partnerships with local stakeholders.
“Homeownership helps families build stability and work toward long-term security,” said Rockette Ewell, community affairs manager at U.S. Bank. “That’s why we are continuing our work with the Inland Empire Community Foundation to provide down payment assistance that helps make homeownership more accessible and supports families as they take this important step.”
IECF President and CEO Michelle Decker echoed the importance of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and strengthen the region’s economic health.
“For many families in the Inland Empire, the dream of owning a home feels increasingly out of reach,” said Decker. “Through our continued relationships with U.S. Bank and NPHS, we’re helping families overcome financial barriers and build a stronger future for themselves and their children. We’re proud to bring this program back and expand opportunities for homeownership in our region.”
NPHS President and CEO Clemente Mojica added, “Affordable homeownership can change a family’s future for generations. Through the Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program, in partnership with IECF, we’re helping first-time homebuyers overcome financial barriers, build lasting stability, and create generational wealth. Together, we’re making homeownership more attainable and strengthening communities across the Inland Empire.”
Kailin Scott, CEO & Executive Director, NHSIE, reflected on opportunities created at the intersection of philanthropy and the private sector. “This support from the Inland Empire Community Foundation and U.S. Bank turns the hope of homeownership into a real path for working families across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Down payment assistance is often the last barrier between a family who has done everything right and the keys to their first home. For more than 40 years, NHSIE has walked alongside Inland Empire families through counseling, education, and financing. This partnership lets us open more doors, build lasting wealth in our neighborhoods, and show what’s possible when philanthropy and the private sector support their own region.”
How to Apply
The Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program is now accepting applications. First-time homebuyers who meet eligibility requirements can learn more and apply by visiting nphsinc.org/iedpa.
With strategic partnerships and innovative financial solutions, IECF, NHSIE, and NPHS are working to help more families in the Inland Empire achieve the dream of homeownership—a key step toward financial security and community prosperity.
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