The reason why banks require a large downpayment is if the economy crashes they have the X% downpayment as a cushion.

Sold prior to the crash luckily.

If the sewer line breaks or a tree comes crashing into the roof, we cannot just shrug our shoulders and tell them to wait.

I'd suggest you get a specific deal; and post it on the Marketplace.Other than that, maybe you can garner support from the business community in your area to sponsor a self help clinic that would bring in credit counselors, etc. to help those with low credit re-build.Unlike many others, I understand that not all credit issues after the crash were brought about directly by those hit the hardest.

Many of which went bust with the housing crash.

Now not sure that would fly in todays lending world but maybe with some seasoning it would.. but they would set these up on 5 year terms.. with the home owner getting all the bene's of ownership and paying all payments tax's insurance. then at 5 years home is either refied or sold .. .with each splitting appreciation 50/50. now of course this worked in the bay area until the crash of 89 to 90 and many of these deals got extended out.. but when prices doubled again by 98 99 investor were able to cash out  folks got to live in PA with nothing down and have their kids go to some of the best public schools in the US... so just some thoughts  as I go down memory lane none of this may be feasible but maybe get you thinking

However, when you compare 2006 to present day, it doesn't seem that we are headed for a crash.

He has been in this business for a longggg time through a crash and all.

My money in real estate is growing so much faster than my 401K, but the last I heard, crashes do not send out an e mail that they are on their way!!! 

In Peter's book, The Real Crash, his prediction isn't that the stock and real estate markets will crash, but the value of the US Dollar will crash.