BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission has launched the Homeownership Assistance Program, a countywide effort to help income-qualified households still working to recover from Hurricanes Sally and Zeta.
The program, known as HAP, is designed to close the gap between what families can afford and what a home actually costs — a gap that widened considerably for many households after the storms.
The problem the program addresses
Disaster recovery places sustained financial pressure on families long after the immediate emergency passes. Private insurance settlements and initial relief packages frequently fall short of covering the full cost of storm damage and housing recovery. Income-qualified residents are often left facing affordability gaps that prevent them from purchasing or maintaining safe, stable housing.
Baldwin County’s housing market has also changed substantially since 2020, with prices rising in a way that compounds the original loss. A household that could have replaced a damaged home five years ago may find the same purchase out of reach today.
What assistance is available
HAP funds can be applied toward down payments — with assistance of up to 20% of a home’s purchase price — as well as interest rate buy-downs, principal write-downs and closing costs. Closing cost coverage includes inspections, appraisals, surveys and legal services. Initial home warranty premiums are also eligible.
The combination is deliberately broad. Interest rate buy-downs and principal write-downs affect monthly affordability over the life of a loan, while down payment and closing cost help address the upfront barrier. Many applicants face both.
Who qualifies
To be eligible, a household must have earned 80% or less of the Area Median Income at the time of the storms. Applicants must also have been Baldwin County residents during Hurricanes Sally or Zeta. Former residents seeking to return may qualify, as may those who were purchasing a storm-damaged home at the time of the disaster.
Key dates
The official application portal opens Sept. 21, 2026, on the Baldwin County website.
Two public information meetings will be held to walk residents through the process and answer questions:
- Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. — Foley Satellite Courthouse, Large Meeting Hall, 201 E Section Ave, Foley, AL 36535
- Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. — Fairhope Satellite Courthouse, Commission Chambers, 1100 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532
Funding and administration
HAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds, distributed via the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
Family Promise of Baldwin County has been selected as the administrative provider. In addition to processing applications, Family Promise will provide homebuyer counseling and personalized case management throughout the purchase process — support that matters considerably for first-time buyers navigating inspections, appraisals and closing for the first time.
Residents who believe they may qualify are encouraged to attend one of the September meetings before the portal opens.