First Home Down Payment for Post Secondary Students

The Government of Saskatchewan is now taking applications for First Home Plan.  This new initiative allows eligible post-secondary graduates to borrow up to $10,000 of their unused Graduate Retention Program (GRP) tax credits to put toward the down payment on their first home.  The plan will help recent graduates who have the income to qualify for a mortgage, but may be having challenges saving for a down payment.

“The Graduate Retention Program First Home Plan supports our government’s election commitment to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to go to school, find a job, buy a home and start a family,” Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer said.  “This plan will also help support Saskatchewan employers to recruitment graduates from both in and out of province.”

“Our government is committed to ensuring young people have the opportunity to build a career in our province,” Advanced Education Minister Scott Moe said.  “The Graduate Retention Program has benefitted tens of thousands of graduates and now the First Home Program allows them to achieve another milestone with home ownership.”

Under the GRP, recent graduates are eligible for rebates up to $20,000 of tuition fees if they live in Saskatchewan for seven years following graduation.  Under the First Home Plan, graduates will be able to borrow up to $10,000 of their future tax credit as an interest-free loan to be used toward a down payment on their first home.  Borrowers are required to repay the loan using the GRP tax credits they receive annually as part of their income tax filing.  These payments will be made directly to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC).  Borrowers will be required to sign a promissory note and abide by the conditions of the loan.

“First time buyers are very important to the real estate market as their purchases often result in several subsequent transactions,” Association of Saskatchewan REALTORS® CEO Bill Madder said.  “Recent studies show that each home sale in Canada will result in an average of over $50,000 in spin-off spending, creating one job for every three transactions.  We are pleased to see the government’s commitment to recent graduates and the Saskatchewan economy through the First Home Plan.”

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First-time homebuyers and those who have not owned a home in the last five years may be eligible for the First Home Plan.  Those who took possession of their home on or after May 1, 2016 are eligible for the program.

For more information about First Home Plan, please call SHC at 306-787-4177 or toll-free at 1-800-667-7567, or visit  http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/deplist.cfm?d=17&c=4607.