42 USC § 12713 - Eligibility under first-time homebuyer programs

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s12713"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 12713 - Eligibility under first-time homebuyer programs"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "12713"
section_name: "Eligibility under first-time homebuyer programs"
chapter_number: 130
chapter_name: "NATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS AND POLICIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 101–625, title IX, § 956, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4421.)"
---


# § 12713. Eligibility under first-time homebuyer programs

**(a)** **Eligibility of displaced homemakers and single parents for Federal assistance for first-time homebuyers**

**(1)** **Displaced homemakers** No individual who is a displaced homemaker may be denied eligibility under any Federal program to assist first-time homebuyers on the basis that the individual, while a homemaker, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.

**(2)** **Single parents** No individual who is a single parent may be denied eligibility under any Federal program to assist first-time homebuyers on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.

**(b)** **Definitions** For purposes of this section:

**(1)** **Displaced homemaker** The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who—

**(A)** is an adult;

**(B)** has not worked full-time, full-year in the labor force for a number of years but has, during such years, worked primarily without remuneration to care for the home and family; and

**(C)** is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.

**(2)** **First-time homebuyer** The term “first-time homebuyer” means an individual who has never, or has not during a specified period of time, had any present ownership interest in a principal residence.

**(3)** **Single parent** The term “single parent” means an individual who—

**(A)** is unmarried or legally separated from a spouse; and

**(B)**

**(i)** has 1 or more minor children for whom the individual has custody or joint custody; or

**(ii)** is pregnant.

**(c)** **Applicability** This section shall apply to any Federal program to assist first-time homebuyers, unless the program is exempted from this section by a statute that amends this subsection or explicitly refers to this subsection.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 101–625, title IX, § 956, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4421.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of title IX of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, and not as part of title I of such Act which comprises this subchapter.