More News

Lumbee Tribe doubles the amount available to new homeowners in Down Payment Assistance Program

By Staff Report, posted 2 years ago
Chairman Lowery signs Down Payment Assistance policy amendment. Photo provided by: The Lumbee Tribe of NC. 

On Thursday, March 16, Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery amended the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s Down Payment Assistance Policy. The change increased the down payment assistance amount to first-time home buyers. 

Recipients previously received a range between $5,000 to $12,000 through the Down Payment Assistance program. Now if approved through the program, Lumbee Tribal members may receive from $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000. 

Chairman Lowery said he is proud to announce the change because inflation is contributing to higher interest rates and rising cost of construction. "We are increasing access to the American Dream of owning a home,” said Lowery in a press release. "By providing a higher benefit of down payment assistance, we are helping Lumbee families not only overcome the hurdle of paying their closing costs, but also gaining positive equity on their home before they ever move in.”

The first family to benefit from the change is Stephanie Stewart and her 8-year-old son Jakoby. While holding back the tears, Stewart described her surprise as she found out the amount she would receive was increased by double.

 “To me it means a first chance for me and my son to finally have something to call our own,” said Stewart in a press release. “I’m 37 years old and I have lived paycheck to paycheck for most of my life, like a lot of individuals in Robeson County, but to receive a gift like this down payment assistance from the Lumbee Tribe is life-changing”.  Stewart said she hopes to move into a new home in the Clyborn Pines community within the next month. She said the difference in money will cover the closing cost and a portion of the down payment.

Kathy Locklear, the Housing and Financial Education Manager for the Lumbee Tribe, is working

with families who are applying for down payment assistance. 

“Our hope is instead of just being able to pay loan closing fees, that these additional funds will reduce the principal amount, which in turn reduces the payment to the home buyer and makes homeownership more affordable for our Lumbee families,” said Locklear in a press release.

Chairman Lowery said he knows the increase will change lives, sharing the following sentiment in a press release. 

“As tribal people, we talk about the “home place”, where our families live for generations,” said Lowery. “We strive to make sure that this type of legacy will continue on, where Lumbee families can not only own their land, but a home to raise a family, to gather and live for the next seven generations and beyond.”

The Down Payment Assistance Program requirements remain the same. Interested applicants

may apply at the Lumbee Tribe Housing Complex from 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through

Friday.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Tech for a cause: 2025 Tech ID Day showcases new innovations while supporting warfighters and a good cause

To wrap up the first day, attendees were able to meet up for a social event at the Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko. in Southern Pines where a $10,000 check was presented to the Joint Special Operations Foundation for their scholarship fund. Photo pr


Gathering great ideas: Business incubator coming to the 400 block of Hay Street

The three-story, 200,000 square-foot business incubator space is located at 420 Maiden Lane. The building features an elevator, construction has begun on handicap bathrooms for the first floor and the second and third floors feature window walls offering views of Segra Stadium.


Planting seeds of H.O.P.E: FTCC's Hope, Opportunity, Prosperity through Education Program provides empowerment through hands-on learning

Image provided by FTCCFocused on building the local workforce and streamlining the education process through real world learning, the Hope, Opportunity, Prosperity through Education Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), also kno