City of Greenville Employer Assisted Homebuyer Program
Accepting applicationsGreenville County and contiguous SC counties (Anderson, Pickens, Laurens, Spartanburg, Abbeville)
- Intended for
- City of Greenville full-time or permanent part-time employees with 1+ year of service in good standing (includes Greenville Police and Fire); first-time or no home in 3 years
- Assistance
- Full-time: up to $50,000 (<=80% AMI), $40,000 (80-100%), $30,000 (100-120%), $20,000 (120-150%); part-time half those amounts
- Form of help
- Forgivable second loan
Administered by CommunityWorks; 30-year fixed mortgage, $500 minimum investment, homebuyer education, payment <=35% of income. Strong angle for Greenville police officers and firefighters.
Reviewed November 2026 · our standards
Ask whether I qualifyAmounts by income
This is the largest employer benefit we found in South Carolina. CommunityWorks runs it for the City, and the amount steps down as income rises. Permanent part-time employees get half these figures.
| Household income | Full-time employee |
|---|
| Up to 80% AMI | $50,000 |
| 80% to 100% AMI | $40,000 |
| 100% to 120% AMI | $30,000 |
| 120% to 150% AMI | $20,000 |
The help is forgivable.
Who is eligible and where you can buy
You must be a full-time or permanent part-time City of Greenville employee with at least one year of service in good standing, and a first-time buyer or someone who has not owned a home in 3 years. You are not limited to the city: the home can be in Greenville County or the contiguous counties of Anderson, Pickens, Laurens, Spartanburg or Abbeville.
You need a 30-year fixed mortgage, $500 of your own funds, homebuyer education, and a housing payment no higher than 35% of income. Officers and firefighters who earn overtime should read how lenders count it in our overtime and shift pay guide.
Pairing with state help
Police officers and firefighters are also on SC Housing's Palmetto Heroes list when that program reopens. Whether the City benefit and an SC Housing loan combine is not stated; a participating lender confirms whether they combine.
Which employees gain most? A full-time officer or firefighter at or below 80% AMI can receive $50,000, which can cover the full down payment and costs on many Upstate homes. A part-time employee in the same bracket would get $25,000. Because the eligible area reaches into five neighboring counties, staff who prefer a lower price in Anderson or Laurens can still use it.
Two-income households should check where they land in the AMI tiers, since crossing from 80% to 100% AMI drops the full-time award by $10,000. The 35% payment rule also limits price, so ask a lender to run numbers at each tier before you pick a home.
How to use it
- Confirm your service date and status with City HR.
- Take homebuyer education.
- Get pre-approved for a 30-year fixed loan.
- Apply through CommunityWorks.
More: Greenville County, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS, or check eligibility.
Questions about City of Greenville Employer Assisted Homebuyer Program
How much can a Greenville police officer get?
A full-time City employee, including police, can get up to $50,000 at or below 80% AMI, stepping down to $20,000 at 120% to 150% AMI.
Does the home have to be inside Greenville city limits?
No. It can be in Greenville County or the contiguous counties of Anderson, Pickens, Laurens, Spartanburg and Abbeville.
Do part-time employees qualify?
Permanent part-time employees qualify for half the full-time amounts.
Ask whether I qualify for this program
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