HomesFund
HomesFund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CDFI and HUD-approved housing counseling agency that provides shared appreciation down payment loans, homebuyer education, and developer predevelopment financing to families seeking affordable homeownership in five counties of southwest Colorado.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersDurango, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HomesFund does
HomesFund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado. It operates as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, delivering affordable homeownership programs to families in five counties of southwest Colorado: La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan, and Dolores. The organization provides shared appreciation loans (no-monthly-payment second mortgages used for down payment assistance), first mortgages for non-conforming mobile homes, construction loans for new modular homes, and predevelopment financing for affordable housing developers. Complementary services include HUD-approved homebuyer education (in-person classes at $19 per household and online classes via eHome America at $75 per user) and free one-on-one housing counseling.
HomesFund's core technology is non-proprietary: it operates web-based application processes and leverages eHome America for online class delivery. The organization runs no proprietary software platform, AI systems, or API products. Since inception, HomesFund has assisted over 1,700 families through counseling, education, and down payment assistance; it has created over 521 homeowners and deployed more than $5.2 million in down payment assistance. Its loan fund has grown from a $1.25 million BP start-up grant in 2008 to a $12.4 million loan fund today, supported by capital from the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund, equity investments from First Southwest Bank, and ongoing donations that qualify for the Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credit.
The business model combines four revenue streams: (1) transaction-based shared appreciation loan repayments (pro-rata share of home appreciation at sale/refinance), (2) tax-deductible donations and charitable contributions, (3) government/CDFI grants, and (4) modest fees from homebuyer education classes. All advisement and counseling services are provided free of charge. Distribution is community-led, delivered through the Durango headquarters office and partner-hosted class locations (Fort Lewis College, Cortez Area Chamber, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, Silverton), with employer partnerships (Fort Lewis College, Purgatory Resort) functioning as referral pipelines. The organization is governed by a board including representatives from Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Central Bank, the Durango Area Association of Realtors, and Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County.
HomesFund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HomesFund
- Legal name
- HomesFund
- Website
- https://homesfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HomesFund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CDFI and HUD-approved housing counseling agency that provides shared appreciation down payment loans, homebuyer education, and developer predevelopment financing to families seeking affordable homeownership in five counties of southwest Colorado.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HomesFund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable Housing Services
- NAICS
- Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (522310), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162), Loan Brokers (6163)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA), Housing Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention & Loss Mitigation Programs (FSALAKAM)
Keywords
Where HomesFund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Durango
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HomesFund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Shared Appreciation Loans: HomesFund provides down payment assistance through shared appreciation loans. These second mortgages require no monthly payments. When the property is sold, refinanced, or transferred, the original loan amount must be repaid plus a pro-rata share of the appreciation. The appreciation share equals the percentage of assistance provided (e.g., 15% assistance = 15% of appreciation). This creates a cyclical revenue stream as loans are repaid and capital is recycled into new loans.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: HomesFund accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Contributions over $250 qualify for a 25% Enterprise Zone State Tax Credit, providing an incentive for larger donations. The organization received a $1.25 million start-up grant from BP.
- Government Grants and CDFI Funding: As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), HomesFund receives grant funding from sources including the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund. In 2017, the organization was awarded $350,000 specifically for down payment assistance programs.
- Education Program Fees: HomesFund charges $19.00 for in-person homebuyer education classes (including workbook) and $75 for eHome America online classes. These fees offset program delivery costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | In-Person Homebuyer Education Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | eHome America Online Class |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
HomesFund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HomesFund provides affordable housing assistance in southwest Colorado through a combination of down payment assistance via shared appreciation loans (no monthly payment second mortgages), homebuyer education classes (in-person and online), one-on-one housing counseling/advisement, construction loans for new mobile/modular homes, and developer financing for affordable housing projects. It also accepts donations and administers city/county workforce housing programs.
Product overview
HomesFund offers a comprehensive homeownership ecosystem centered around three core pillars: homebuyer education, mortgage assistance products, and homeownership advisement. The primary offerings include In-Person and Online Homebuyer Education Classes, Shared Appreciation Loans (no-monthly-payment second mortgages), and one-on-one advisement sessions. Specialized programs include Fort Lewis and Purgatory Resort Employee Mortgage Assistance Programs, a Non-Conforming Loan Program for mobile homes, and a Low-Down Payment Construction Loan for modular/mobile home builds. The organization also provides Development Support Loans for developers of affordable housing. All programs serve households in southwest Colorado counties (La Plata, Montezuma, Archuluma, San Juan, and Dolores).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- In-Person Homebuyer Education Class
- eHome America Online Homebuyer Education Class
- Shared Appreciation Loans
- Non-Conforming Loan Program (1st Mortgage for Mobile Homes)
- Fort Lewis Employee Mortgage Assistance Program
- DMR/Purgatory Resort Employee Assistance Program
- Low-Down Payment Construction Loan
- Homeownership Advisement Services
- Development Support Loan Program
- Donate to HomesFund Tax-deductible donation platform for supporting HomesFund's affordable housing mission. Contributions over $250 qualify for a 25% Enterprise Zone State Tax Credit.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,700 families assisted since 2008 through pre-purchase counseling, education, and down payment assistance
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HomesFund
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HomesFund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
HomesFund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fort Lewis CollegecoreSpecial employer mortgage assistance program for Fort Lewis College employees with income limits up to 150% AMI and down payment assistance up to $70,000 or 20% of purchase price. Hosts homebuyer education classes on campus.
- Purgatory Resort (Durango Mountain Resort)coreSpecial employer mortgage assistance program for DMR/Purgatory employees including YR Managers, YR Employees, SS Employees, and HC Employees with at least 400 hours season. Income limits up to 150% AMI, assistance up to $70,000 or 17% of purchase price.
- Colorado Division of HousingminorState housing agency partner providing funding and program support for affordable housing initiatives.
- City of DurangocoreHomesFund administers the Fair Share Program on behalf of the City of Durango, providing down payment assistance for homes within city limits to households up to 125% AMI.
- La Plata CountycoreCounty partner for workforce housing programs. HomesFund administers the Durango Mountain Resort program for La Plata County.
- HUDcoreHomesFund is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, enabling the organization to provide certified counseling and access to certain programs.
- Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)minorState housing finance authority whose mortgage products are accepted by HomesFund programs.
- Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta CountyminorHabitat for Humanity affiliate whose homebuyers may use HomesFund education and counseling services.
- Mile High Community Loan FundminorDenver-based affordable housing lender partnering with HomesFund to underwrite and service Development Support Loans for developers.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HomesFund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator providing rental and homeownership programs, with a Colorado regional presence. Comparable as a mission-aligned housing nonprofit; Mercy Housing's Mountain Plains region overlaps HomesFund's southwest Colorado geography.
- Habitat for Humanity: Largest U.S. nonprofit affordable housing organization providing homebuyer education, counseling, and affordable home construction through local affiliates (including the Archuleta County affiliate that partners with HomesFund). Directly comparable as a nonprofit providing homeownership pathways in similar geographies.
- Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that combines capital (CDFI), grants, and policy advocacy to preserve and create affordable housing. Comparable to HomesFund as a mission-driven affordable housing financier, but operating at national scale across multiple geographies.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National nonprofit CDFI providing loans, grants, and technical assistance for affordable housing and community development. Comparable mission and product set (DPA, developer predevelopment, counseling) but operating across many U.S. markets rather than a single rural region.
- NeighborWorks America: National network of 250+ nonprofit housing counseling and community development organizations providing homebuyer education, counseling, and lending products. Operates a chartered network that includes CDFI-certified members offering down payment assistance similar to HomesFund.
Direct peers
- Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA): State housing finance agency providing down payment assistance, mortgage products, and homebuyer education across Colorado. CHFA's mortgage products are accepted by HomesFund programs, making them both a partner and a comparable DPA provider serving overlapping geography.
- Mile High Community Loan Fund: Denver-based CDFI that partners with HomesFund to underwrite and service Development Support Loans for affordable housing developers. Highly comparable as a Colorado-based nonprofit CDFI providing flexible, relationship-based financing for affordable housing developers and homebuyers.
- Housing Solutions for the Southwest: Regional affordable housing nonprofit whose President (Heather Garland) sits on HomesFund's Board of Directors. Operates in the same southwest Colorado geography, focused on affordable housing advocacy and development — the closest local mission-aligned peer.
Emerging players
- GRID Alternatives: Nonprofit providing affordable solar + housing solutions including workforce housing development. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit tackling affordability barriers, though with a distinct renewable-energy overlay that differentiates its model from HomesFund's DPA focus.
Regional players
- San Luis Valley Housing Coalition: Colorado-based affordable housing nonprofit providing homebuyer education and counseling services in the San Luis Valley region. Comparable as a rural Colorado affordable housing nonprofit offering counseling and education services, but in a different geographic service area.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HomesFund social profiles
Digital presenceHomesFund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
HomesFund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HomesFund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
HomesFund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HomesFund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HomesFund
What does HomesFund do?
HomesFund provides affordable housing assistance in southwest Colorado through a combination of down payment assistance via shared appreciation loans (no monthly payment second mortgages), homebuyer education classes (in-person and online), one-on-one housing counseling/advisement, construction loans for new mobile/modular homes, and developer financing for affordable housing projects. It also accepts donations and administers city/county workforce housing programs.
Is HomesFund a public or private company?
HomesFund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HomesFund founded?
HomesFund was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HomesFund based?
HomesFund is headquartered in Durango, United States, in the North America region.
How does HomesFund make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Shared Appreciation Loans are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, government Grants and CDFI Funding and education Program Fees.
Who are HomesFund's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mercy Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and NeighborWorks America. Direct peers are Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), Mile High Community Loan Fund and Housing Solutions for the Southwest. GRID Alternatives is listed as an emerging player. San Luis Valley Housing Coalition is listed as a regional player.
Does HomesFund have an API?
No public API is recorded for HomesFund.
What industry is HomesFund in?
HomesFund's product category is Affordable Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSALAKAE, Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs, with a secondary code of FSALAKAA, State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs). Its NAICS code is 522310 and its SIC code is 6162.