Down Payment Assistance Program

The Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP) is a pilot program to assist qualified residents of Prince Edward Island, who have modest incomes, in purchasing a first home.

How much financing is available under this program?

Eligible applicants can apply to receive a conditionally interest free loan of up to five per cent of the purchase price of a home, to a maximum loan of $17,500.

The loan proceeds must go toward the down payment for the home and cannot be used for financing, closing or other costs.

The loan will bear interest at the fixed rate of 5 per cent per annum, which will accrue and accumulate during the term of the loan and will be forgiven when the loan principal has been repaid in full.

Payments during the term of the loan will be applied to loan principal, but should the program participant default on their repayment obligations under their loan, the unpaid loan principal and accumulated accrued interest will become due in full.

Participants may opt to waive their payments for the first year of the loan, to allow the new home owners to adjust to any unforeseen costs.

Am I eligible to apply?

In order to be eligible for assistance, the following criteria must be met:

• applicant will be a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada;
• applicant is a first-time home buyer;
• applicant’s total annual household income is $100,000 or less;
• purchase price of the home may not exceed $350,000;
• property is on Prince Edward Island; and
• applicant does not have the financial ability to pay 5 per cent of the purchase price without assistance of the program

For the purposes of this program, you are considered to be a first-time home buyer if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have never purchased a home before;
• In the last 4 years, you did not occupy a home that you or your current spouse or common-law partner owner; or
• You have gone through a breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership (even if you don't meet the other first-time home buyer requirements).

Are there other requirements for this program?

The applicant will have a satisfactory credit rating and must not have any defaulted outstanding debt obligation on file in the Government of Prince Edward Island Central Default Registry.

The purchased property must be the applicant’s principal residence, and be owner occupied as a single family dwelling; rental properties, seasonal and recreational properties are not eligible.

How do I apply?

As an eligible applicant, you may apply online or download a pdf version of the Down Payment Assistance Program application form, for completion, signature(s) and submission, along with the following supporting information:

• A Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the prior tax year from each applicant

• A copy of two pieces of government issued identification, one of which will bear the applicant’s photograph and signature, which may include:

  • If a Canadian Citizen:
    • Provincially issued driver’s license or ID Card with photo;
    • Birth Certificate;
    • Passport;
    • Citizenship Certificate.
  • If a Permanent Resident of Canada, your Permanent Resident Card and any one of the following:
    • Provincially issued driver’s license or ID Card with photo;
    • Birth Certificate;
    • Foreign Passport.
• A written verification of employment confirming your date of hire, position, current annual income, and employment status (Full Time, Part Time, Casual, Seasonal, Term).

Should you be deemed eligible for the program, the following information will be required to finalize program financing in due course:

• A copy of the Applicant’s final Approval for first insured mortgage financing, from a recognized financial institution
• A copy of the Applicant’s Agreement of Purchase and Sale for the program eligible home being purchased

What happens after I apply?

After you apply for the program, a staff person of Finance PEI will contact you to discuss your application and the next steps to determine eligibility.

For more information:

It is recommended that first time home buyers review the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) educational materials listed in the RESOURCES section of this page.

If you have any further questions, contact:

Bruce Johnston, Senior Financial Analyst
Finance PEI
94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor
PO Box 1176
Charlottetown, PE
Phone: (902) 894-0379
Fax: (902) 368-6255
Email: bjohnston@gov.pe.ca