Home$tart grant disbursements are conditioned on the information provided on the Home$tart
Disbursement Request and Certification form, supporting documentation, and the member’s
compliance with the Seattle Bank’s Community Investment programs. Adherence to guidelines
below can help to ensure a more efficient and timely disbursement process.
- Before submitting a disbursement request to the Seattle Bank, members must have received an email confirming that the enrollment has been approved. Pending enrollments may be tracked online and will show “pending income verification” in the comment field.
- When completing the Home$tart
Disbursement Request and Certification form (pdf), Seattle Bank members must ensure
that:
- Every page has been completed, and every field has a written response.
- An individual authorized by the Transaction Authorization for Funding - Community
Investments Programs has signed page four of the disbursement request.
- A homebuyer education certificate of completion and a household account statement
have been included with the disbursement request, and that:
- The account statement or verification of deposit shows a sufficient available current
balance and is dated no more than 45 days prior to the “requested review date.”
- The account statement clearly shows the homebuyer name, account number, institution
name, date and balance of funds as of the statement date.
- Gift funds have not been included to meet the household account balance requirement.
The Seattle Bank may deny disbursement of Home$tart funds if the account statement
shows that the homebuyer can contribute 20 percent or more toward the purchase price
of the home.
Please Note:
- The Seattle Bank may inquire about the affordability of the mortgage if the sum of
principal and interest payments for all non-deferred mortgages equals or exceeds 35
percent of the household’s monthly gross income (as calculated via the Home$tart
Program Annual Income Calculation Worksheet).
- The “requested review date” is the date that the Seattle Bank will review the request and, if all documentation is complete, transfer funds to the member’s DDA. The Seattle Bank recommends submitting disbursement requests with a "requested review date" of five business days prior to the “anticipated mortgage closing date.”
Please see the Compliance page for post disbursement requirements
Final approval of the disbursement of Home$tart funds is subject to
the sole discretion of the Seattle Bank and subject to all applicable laws, rules,
regulations, and policies of the Seattle Bank, as amended from time to
time. Participating members should advise homebuyers that the homebuyer’s receipt
of Home$tart funds is not guaranteed and that there is a risk that disbursement
of those funds will not be approved. The Seattle Bank is not liable for any losses
or damages resulting from a failure to disburse Home$tart funds to a member or a
homebuyer.
If you have questions regarding disbursement, please refer to our
Home$tart and Home$tart Plus Member Policies and Procedures
(pdf), or contact Community Programs Analyst
Craig Horton (206.340.2436).