Community Champions Homebuyer Incentive Program (CCHIP)

Rio Salado has teamed up with Berkana Homes to assist community champion homebuyers in areas where home ownership may be difficult. It is further designed to reward responsible home ownership and to encourage the attainment of college degrees by the homeowner, spouse, or dependent family member.

A community champion is any individual who is enrolled in an educational program in public safety (police, fire, EMT, corrections), healthcare, or teaching or is employed in those fields.

The CCHIP consists of a grant that includes two benefits for community champions: one for mortgage payments and the other for tuition, fees and books at any Maricopa Community College.

Grantee Requirements

The homeowner, spouse, or dependent family member, in order to qualify for the grant, must:

• Be a community champion.
  
• Elect to participate in the CCHIP grant program at the time of purchasing a Berkana home.
• Live in the community during the time they are participating in the CCHIP grant program.
• Use a qualified lender and qualify for the mortgage.

Rio Salado College Education Grant

This $2,500 education grant may be used to pay for actual tuition, fees, and books at any Maricopa Community College. Even though the grant may be used at any Maricopa Community College, the funds will be given to and administered by Rio Salado College. At the close of escrow, Berkana Homes will establish an education grant account in the name of the homebuyer at Rio Salado College. The homebuyer, spouse, or dependent family member will have two (2) years after the close of escrow to use the funds. If the funds are not used within the two (2) years, any unused balance will revert to Rio Salado College.

Guidelines

• The program is based on home availability.
• No other discounts or purchase incentive programs are available with this program.