PARIS – Low-income families in Oxford and Androscoggin counties will benefit from a grant of more than $120,000 to Community Concepts. The money comes from NeighborWorks America, and will bring the total grant money received by Community Concepts from NeighborWorks this year to $355,000.

Dennis Lajoie, the director of housing and real estate development at Community Concepts, said the grants will help potential homeowners in three ways. The organization helps low-income families to make down payments on new homes. Funds will also help train staff to provide homebuyer education classes and counseling for families with poor credit.

Getting help buying a home or finding a low-rent apartment isn’t difficult, Lajoie said. “People can just come in and say they’re interested in homeownership.” If the prospective buyer meets the requirements for the program, which are similar to restrictions used by the Maine State Housing Authority, a deferred grant may be given. If not, the person will be referred to a local bank that can help them.

Deferred grants may help with down payments, closing costs, or mortgage payments. Lajoie said they are essentially loans with “non-monthly payments.” If the buyer is not able to repay the grant money, or sells the property before it is repaid, the grant stays with the property.

NeighborWorks America receives $130 million from Congress each year, Lajoie said. According to a statement from the program, it will provide more than $75 million in grants to its network of 240 nonprofit organizations across the country. Over the past five years, NeighborWorks grants have benefited more than 780,000 families.