Aurora is opening its checkbook for would-be homeowners, rolling out a new Choose Aurora assistance package that stacks a zero-percent deferred loan with closing-cost and repair grants to trim the upfront hit of buying inside city limits. City officials say the deal is meant to nudge both longtime residents and new arrivals into purchasing in Aurora, while pairing federal housing dollars with local counseling and oversight.
What the package includes
The Choose Aurora package offers up to $20,000 in a zero-interest deferred loan, plus as much as $5,000 for closing costs and up to $2,000 for minor repairs, according to City of Aurora materials. The deferred loan is interest-free and is repaid when the home is sold or the deed changes names. Applicants must pre-qualify for a 30-year fixed FHA or conventional mortgage, complete HUD-certified homebuyer counseling, meet the listed 30% and 43% debt-to-income ratios, and bring at least $1,000 in earnest money to the table. The city estimates the paperwork can take several weeks to process ahead of closing, so this is not a last-minute add-on.
Who qualifies and income limits
Assistance is allocated on a sliding income scale and is aimed at buyers who meet the city’s income guidelines. According to the City of Aurora, eligibility is tied to area median income and references about 80% AMI, which is roughly $95,900 for a four-person household in 2025. The city’s Facebook announcement on Monday also included a 120% AMI example, about $143,880 for a family of four, so prospective buyers are urged to confirm which income threshold applies to the specific aid they hope to receive.
How to apply and what lenders will look for
Buyers are expected to start with lender pre-qualification. The city requires a 30-year fixed FHA or conventional mortgage and HUD-certified counseling before it will process a pre-application. A satisfactory home inspection, the minimum earnest-money deposit, and acceptable debt-to-income ratios are all part of the checklist, and officials caution that the review can take several weeks before a scheduled closing. Application materials and a pre-application form are available through the city’s program channels and the program flyer referenced above.
Why Aurora is pushing this now
City officials say the Choose Aurora program is funded with federal HOME dollars and is one of several Community Development tools designed to boost homeownership and neighborhood investment. Local partners such as The Neighbor Project and the Xilin Association are listed as HUD-certified counseling resources, and Community Development staff have walked through the initiative on local shows like the Good Morning Aurora podcast, where they detail how the program works.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to start by talking with a lender and a HUD-certified counselor, then plan to begin the city’s pre-application process once an offer is accepted. For questions, residents can call Community Development at 630-256-3328 or consult the official materials and the city’s Facebook announcement embedded above.
