First Front Door
First Front Door (FFD) provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers.
What is First Front Door?
Members must access FFD Online through FHLBank's secure website portal. Please contact us at 800-288-3400, option 2, if you need assistance.secure website portal
FFD provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers. Offered through participating FHLBank Pittsburgh (FHLBank) members that provide first- mortgage financing. By contributing a minimum of $1,500 toward down payment and closing costs, homebuyers are eligible for a maximum FFD grant of $15,000.
In order to expand access to homeownership opportunities for minority and first-generation first-time homebuyers, the First Front Door Keys to Equity fund (Keys) was established. Also offered through participating FHLBank members that provide first-mortgage financing. By contributing a minimum of $1,000 toward down payments and closing costs, homebuyers in the Keys program are eligible for a maximum Keys grant of $20,000.
To apply for a FFD grant, please contact a FFD provider in your area.
FFD Reference Materials
2025 FFD and Keys Webinar - This recorded webinar is an overview of FFD and Keys programs.
2025 FFD and Keys Webinar (PDF) - This PDF version of the recorded webinar is an overview of the FFD and Keys programs.
FFD Online How-To: Complete the Income Workbook - Recording of how to use FFD Income Workbook for the FFD program.
2025 FFD and Keys Webinar (PDF) - This PDF version of the recorded webinar is an overview of the FFD and Keys programs.
FFD Online How-To: Complete the Income Workbook - Recording of how to use FFD Income Workbook for the FFD program.
FFD Flyer - Homebuyer - A customizable flyer that FHLBank members can use to advertise FFD to potential homebuyers.
FFD Flyer - Homebuyer (Spanish) - A customizable flyer that FHLBank members can use to advertise FFD to potential homebuyers.
FFD Poster - Homebuyer - A ready-to-print mini-poster that FHLBank members can use to advertise FFD to potential homebuyers.
First Front Door Keys to Equity Product Profile - Member - In order to expand access to homeownership opportunities for Minority and First-Generation, first-time homebuyers, FHLBank has created the First Front Door Keys to Equity fund (Keys) program.
eHome America Online Housing Counseling - Link to eHome America online housing counseling website.
Framework Online Housing Counseling - Link to Framework online housing counseling website.
HUD Income Limits - Household income limits, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD-Approved Counseling Agencies - Counseling agencies that are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
National Industry Standards Approved Counseling Agencies - Link to the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling website.
PHFA Online Housing Counseling - A link to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's (PHFA) Online Homebuyer Education Course.
What You'll Gain
How Does FFD Benefit Members?
FHLBank members benefit from FFD and Keys in a variety of ways
Enhances first-time homebuyer products
Improves market competitiveness
Strengthens member underwriting
Provides Community Reinvestment Act credit
Empowers first-time homebuyers, deepening banking relationships
Overview
Still Have Questions?Who Qualifies for FFD and Keys Funding?
FFD Funding:
Qualified first-time homebuyers can use FFD grants toward down payment and closing costs. Each prospective homebuyer must:
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Be a first-time homebuyer
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A person who has not owned an eligible property used as their primary residence in the last three years,
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This also includes if purchasing jointly with other individuals, at least one person has not owned an eligible property used as a primary residence in the last three years,
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This also includes any person that has owned an eligible property jointly with another individual and is now independently purchasing an eligible property, or
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If an investment property is owned, the person has not lived there and has not owned an eligible property used as a primary residence in the last three years.
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Contribute personal funds as part of the down payment and closing costs
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Have household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income at the time of registration
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Complete at least four hours of homeownership counseling, including the topic of predatory lending, prior to the purchase of the home
Keys Funding:
Qualified first-time homebuyers can use Keys grants toward down payment and closing costs. Each prospective homebuyer must:
- Be a first-time homebuyer and identify as a Minority and/or First-Generation Homebuyer, as defined by FHLBank
- Contribute personal funds as part of the down payment and closing costs
- Have household income at or below 120 percent of the area median income at the time of registration
- Complete at least four hours of homeownership counseling, including the topic of predatory lending, prior to the purchase of the home
How Do FFD and Keys Work?
Only members registered to participate in the FFD program may apply for funding on behalf of their homebuyers. To enroll in FFD, members must complete the FFD Enrollment Agreement and FFD Member Agreement Form. Eligible members can then submit FFD applications during open funding rounds.
To participate in Keys, members must execute the FFD Enrollment Agreement, FFD Member Agreement Form and the Keys Participation Agreement. Please email firstfrontdoor@fhlb-pgh.com to request the Keys Participation Agreement needed to sign up for Keys. Keys applications may only be submitted by members that have already executed the Keys Participation Agreement.
When the FFD and Keys funding rounds opens each year, enrolled members can then follow these steps to register homebuyers for FFD or Keys funding:
- Prospective homebuyer works with a participating member
- Member and homebuyer gather income documentation and submit FFD or Keys registration request
- FHLBank processes and approves completed registration requests within 10 business days
- Within six months of registration approval, prospective homebuyer completes homeownership counseling and buys home
- Member provides the first mortgage and advances eligible grant amount
- Member submits disbursement request with required documents to FHLBank for reimbursement
Program Information
URL
FFD Participating Member Institutions
A list of FHLBank member financial institutions currently enrolled in the First Front Door program.
PDF
FFD Product Profile - Member
First Front Door, which is offered through FHLBank Pittsburgh members, provides down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $15,000 to eligible first-time homebuyers.
PDF
FFD Quick Reference Guide
Tool for FHLBank members to use when qualifying an FFD homebuyer and processing a reservation.
PDF
How to Look up HUD Income Limits for FFD and Keys
This document should be used to determine the income limits required for FHLBank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) First Front Door (FFD) and First Front Door Keys to Equity fund (Keys) programs.
PDF
User Guide to Accessing the Secure Website Portal
User guide to the secure website portal for accessing FFD Online.
Applications and Forms
PDF
FFD Counseling Agency Approval
Form for FHLBank Member to request a new Counseling Agency Approval
Excel
FFD Homebuyer Counseling Certification
Form used by member (if needed) to document homebuyer completed housing counseling
Excel
FFD Income Workbook
For FFD and Keys reservations, the current Income Workbook must be utilized and supported by third-party income documents, as outlined in the Income Guidelines.
PDF
FFD Member Enrollment and Agreement Forms
Forms for FHLBank members to enroll in the First Front Door (FFD) program.
PDF
FFD Real Estate Retention Agreement
Deed Restriction to secure FFD subsidy between member and homebuyer.
PDF
FFD Reservation Extension or Status Reversal
Form used to request an extension of the FFD reservation eligibility period or a status reversal of an expired FFD reservation.
Approved Counseling Agencies
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Limits
- HUD-Approved Counseling Agencies
- National Industry Standards Approved Counseling Agencies
- eHome America Online Housing Counseling
- Framework Online Housing Counseling
- PHFA Online Housing Counseling
- FreddieMac Credit Smart
- FannieMae Online HomeView Homeownership Education Course (free course)
To apply for a First Front Door grant, please contact a FFD provider in your area.
FFD ProvidersFirst Front Door helps turn the dream of homeownership into a reality, making the American Dream accessible for those who may have thought it was out of reach. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity."
Bianca
FFD Recipient
