Bluffton area ZIP codes 29909 and 29910 (Beaufort County)

Town of Bluffton Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program

Q: How much can Bluffton employees get?

Up to $25,000 under 80% AMI, $20,000 at 80% to 119%, $15,000 at 120% to 139%, and $10,000 at 140% AMI or more.

Q: When is the Bluffton help forgiven?

After 5 years of continued employment with the Town.

Town of Bluffton employees past probation, including Bluffton Police, can get up to $25,000 toward a first home in the 29909 or 29910 ZIP codes.

Town of Bluffton Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program

Limited funds

Bluffton area ZIP codes 29909 and 29910 (Beaufort County)

Intended for: Town of Bluffton employees past probation (includes Bluffton Police), first-time buyers
Assistance: Up to $25,000 (<80% AMI), $20,000 (80-119%), $15,000 (120-139%), $10,000 (140%+)
Form of help: Forgivable second loan

'Limited funds available'; per-fiscal-year budget, first-come first-served; $1,000 minimum investment; forgiven after 5 years of continued employment.

Reviewed November 2026 · our standards

Ask whether I qualify

So that you are not caught unaware. Town of Bluffton Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program depends on limited funds that may run short. We can tell you when a new allotment is released.

Award tiers

The Town funds a set budget each fiscal year and CommunityWorks hands it out first-come, first-served. The page currently notes "limited funds available." Amounts by income:

Household income	Maximum
Under 80% AMI	$25,000
80% to 119% AMI	$20,000
120% to 139% AMI	$15,000
140% AMI and up	$10,000

Unusually, even employees at 140% AMI or more get something. The help is forgiven after 5 years of continued employment with the Town.

Eligibility

You must be a Town of Bluffton employee who has completed probation and a first-time buyer, buying in ZIP code 29909 or 29910 in Beaufort County. You need at least $1,000 of your own money.

Using other help too

Beaufort County is an SC Housing targeted county, where the first-time rule for state loans is looser. Whether the Town benefit can sit next to an SC Housing loan is not stated; a participating lender confirms whether they combine. Beaufort Memorial runs a separate employer program for hospital staff.

Since the budget resets each fiscal year and goes first-come, timing your application early in the Town's fiscal year can help. Leaving Town employment within 5 years can affect forgiveness, so ask CommunityWorks how an early departure is handled. Check which income tier you fall into with a lender early, since the award drops by $5,000 at each step. Keep proof that you finished probation in your file, since that is the start of eligibility.

Employees who are new to the Town should finish probation before applying; until then, they are not eligible. Once eligible, the first-time buyer rule still applies, so current homeowners cannot use it. Ask a lender which income tier you fall into before shopping, because the award changes by tier and your budget changes with it. Ask CommunityWorks how much of the current fiscal year's budget is left when you call.

How to apply

Ask CommunityWorks whether this fiscal year's money remains.
Get pre-approved and set aside $1,000.
Shop in 29909 or 29910.
Apply before the year's budget runs out.

Follow the full first-time buyer steps, see Beaufort County, or check eligibility.

Questions about Town of Bluffton Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program

How much can Bluffton employees get?

Up to $25,000 under 80% AMI, $20,000 at 80% to 119%, $15,000 at 120% to 139%, and $10,000 at 140% AMI or more.

When is the Bluffton help forgiven?

After 5 years of continued employment with the Town.

Where can I buy?

In ZIP codes 29909 and 29910.

Ask whether I qualify for this program

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