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Idaho Credit Unions Launch New No-Down-Payment Mortgage Program for First-Time Homebuyers

Posted by on August 12, 2026

A new collaborative effort to expand homeownership opportunities across East Idaho officially launched, bringing together four credit unions, the GoWest Foundation, housing and community leaders, and elected officials to celebrate the launch of East Idaho Welcome Home.

The 100% financing mortgage program, developed by Connections Credit Union, Frontier Credit Union, ICCU, and Westmark Credit Union to help make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers who may struggle to save for a down payment, has already received applications since its launch on Aug. 3.

The Aug. 10 launch event in Idaho Falls highlighted the broad community support behind the initiative, and featured speakers from each partner credit union joined by Randy Hubbard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls and Corey Mangum, City of Pocatello Council President, and Sharee Adkins, EVP & Chief Impact Officer of GoWest.

The event also drew elected officials and representatives from the state and federal level, including Idaho Representatives Jerald Raymond and Britt Raybould, Chubbuck Mayor Rod Burch, staff from U.S. Senator Jim Risch and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s office, and the regional director for Eastern Idaho from U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo’s office. Matt Hunt, president and CEO of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, and Michelle Mallard, Bonneville County Commissioner, also attended, along with leaders from housing and real estate organizations.

“This program is about opening doors to homeownership by bridging the housing affordability gap,” said Ed Tierney, ICCU President and CEO. “The real impact of this program will be helping working families stay in the communities where they live and work by addressing one of the biggest challenges Idaho faces — affordability. This collaboration allows us to reduce barriers to homeownership for teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential members of our workforce, helping them put down roots and strengthening the long-term stability of our communities.”

The East Idaho program was modeled after the successful Tucson Welcome Home program, launched in 2024 through a partnership between five Tucson-area credit unions and the GoWest Foundation. Both programs are designed to remove some of the biggest financial barriers facing first-time homebuyers while keeping homeownership within reach for working families.

East Idaho Welcome Home offers:

  • No down payment requirement
  • No private mortgage insurance requirement
  • No origination fees
  • Interest rate pricing comparable to conventional 30-year fixed mortgages

Jamie Simmons, Connections Credit Union President and CEO

“At Connections Credit Union, we believe homeownership can change the future of a family and strengthen the communities we serve,” said Jamie Simmons, Connections Credit Union President and CEO. “This collaboration reflects the credit union philosophy of People Helping People and brings our mission to life by connecting communities and members to modern financial services while empowering financial success through time-honored credit union values.”

The launch has already attracted local, industry and national attention, with coverage from Credit Union Times, CUbroadcast, CU Daily, KIFI Local 8 News, Morningstar, Weekly Real Estate News.

The East Idaho Welcome Home program is the latest example of the GoWest Foundation’s focus on workforce housing and the power of credit unions working together to address challenges that no single organization can solve alone. By combining resources and expertise, the participating credit unions and GoWest Foundation are working to create more pathways to homeownership for the people who keep East Idaho communities strong.

To learn more about East Idaho Welcome Home or discuss housing collaboration or grant opportunities, contact the GoWest Foundation team at [email protected].

Posted in Community Impact, GoWest Foundation, Idaho, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.

Aug12

Advocacy 101: Day 1 (Option 1)

Join GoWest Credit Union Association this August for a free two-part virtual Advocacy Training workshop, where you’ll learn how the impact stories you create at your credit union and Advocacy go hand in hand.
Aug12

Advocacy 101: Day 1 (Option 2)

Join GoWest Credit Union Association this August for a free two-part virtual Advocacy Training workshop, where you’ll learn how the impact stories you create at your credit union and Advocacy go hand in hand.
Aug12

Advocacy 101: Day 1 (Option 3)

Join GoWest Credit Union Association this August for a free two-part virtual Advocacy Training workshop, where you’ll learn how the impact stories you create at your credit union and Advocacy go hand in hand.
Aug13

Advocacy 101: Day 2

Join GoWest Credit Union Association this August for a free two-part virtual Advocacy Training workshop, where you’ll learn how the impact stories you create at your credit union and Advocacy go hand in hand.