First-Time Homebuyer Grants and Down Payment Assistance
Federal loan programs, state housing agencies, and local nonprofits offer down payment help, closing-cost grants, and low-rate mortgages for first-time buyers.
“We thought we were five more years away from buying. Florida's Hometown Heroes program gave us $35,000 toward our down payment because my wife is an ICU nurse — we closed on a three-bedroom in Jacksonville with $2,100 out of pocket.”
Who these grants help
Three common situations. Pick the one closest to yours — we'll show you the programs most likely to accept you.
The Public Servant
Teacher, nurse, firefighter, or officer priced out of the neighborhood you serve.
The Down Payment Gap
Solid income and steady job, but saving $40,000 in cash feels impossible.
The Rural Buyer
Looking at a small-town or country property where 20% down is out of reach.
First-Time Buyers programs
Showing top 8 of 151, sorted by award amount.
Iowa FirstHome Program
Iowa Finance Authority (Opportunity Iowa)
Kentucky Housing Corporation Mortgage Loans
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)
Louisiana Housing Corporation Mortgage Loans
Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)
Maine First Generation Homebuyer Program
MaineHousing
Kansas First Time Homebuyer Program
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)
Maine First Home Loan Program
MaineHousing
USDA Section 502 Direct Home Loans
USDA Rural Development
Hula Mae Single Family Program
HI Housing Authority
Understanding first-time buyers grants
Buying a first home in 2026 is harder than it has been in a generation. The median U.S. sale price sits near $420,000, mortgage rates hover in the high 6% range, and the savings needed for a 20% down payment stretches into six figures in most metro areas. What many first-time buyers do not realize is that they almost never need to put 20% down — and that federal, state, and local programs will cover much of what they do need.
The cornerstone is the FHA loan, insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans allow a down payment of just 3.5% with a credit score of 580, and many state housing finance agencies pair them with down payment assistance (DPA) of $10,000 to $15,000 or more. CalHFA in California, SONYMA in New York, Florida's Hometown Heroes program, Virginia Housing, and Illinois's IHDA 1stHomeIllinois all layer grants or forgivable second mortgages on top of the primary loan. USDA Section 502 loans go further still, offering 100% financing in eligible rural areas with no down payment at all.
Buyers in specific jobs or locations qualify for even deeper discounts. HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program sells HUD-owned homes in revitalization areas to teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs for 50% off list price in exchange for a three-year occupancy commitment. The Federal Home Loan Bank's First-Front Door program matches buyer savings 3-to-1 up to $15,000 in participating states. Thousands of cities and counties run their own closing-cost grants on top of these federal tools.
Most first-time buyer programs define "first-time" loosely — if you have not owned a principal residence in the past three years, you usually qualify, even if you owned a home before that. Browse the featured programs below to see what matches your income, location, and profession.
Typical eligibility
- Haven't owned a primary residence in the last 3 years (standard first-time buyer definition)
- Household income at or below the program limit, often 80–140% of Area Median Income
- Minimum credit score of 580 for FHA, 620–640 for most state DPA programs
- Home will be your primary residence, not an investment or vacation property
- Completion of an approved homebuyer education course is often required
How to apply
Find Programs
Browse DPA grants, FHA-partnered state programs, and profession-specific deals that match your location.
Check Eligibility
Review income caps, credit score minimums, purchase price limits, and occupancy rules for each program.
Apply Through a Lender
Most first-time buyer programs are accessed through an approved mortgage lender — we link to the official participating lender lists.
Articles about first-time buyers
Top 12 of 513 articles in this category, sorted by popularity.
New York First-Time Homebuyer Programs: Complete SONYMA Guide for 2025
New York's State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers a full suite of programs for first-time buyers, from 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with 3% down through Achieving the Dream to forgivable down payment loans up to $15,000 and the $30,000 Homebuyer Dream Program grant with a November 28, 2025 application deadline.
Wells Fargo's $10,000 Homebuyer Access Grant: Down Payment Help in 8 Metro Areas
Wells Fargo launched its Homebuyer Access grant in August 2023, offering $10,000 toward a down payment for eligible buyers in underserved communities across eight major U.S. metros, with no repayment required.
Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan program (AHELP) Helping Alaska Homeowners
The Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan Program AHELP is aimed to encourage affordable The Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan Program AHELP is aimed to encourage affordable homeownership in collaboration…
South Carolina First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Exploring Homeownership Opportunities in South Carolina Becoming a homeowner is a significant milestone, and if you're considering it in South Carolina, you're in luck. There are various resources…
Housing Crunch Can't Deter Homebuyers in Upstate New York
In a market where affordability is shrinking and housing supply is low, homebuyers are facing more challenges than ever.
Exploring the $25,000 Down Payment Grant: Is it Accessible?
Aiming to facilitate homeownership for first-time buyers, the Downpayment Toward Equity Act may offer eligible candidates a cash grant of up to $25,000 to...
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency: Making Homeownership Easier with Down Payment Assistance
To improve housing accessibility and affordability for residents, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) has established the OHFA Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance program.
Massachusetts Homebuyer Essentials!
Homeownership in Massachusetts: A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers! Are you a prospective first-time homebuyer in Massachusetts? Discover valuable resources and assistance programs designed…
Homebuyers Benefit from Pathway to Purchase Down Payment Aid
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), in collaboration with the Arizona Home Foreclosure Prevention Funding Corporation (AHFPFC), has developed the...
Housing Prices on the Rise, Yet Homebuyers Can Offset the Impact with a Modest Down Payment
The soaring housing costs, as indicated by the latest data from the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S.
Florida Grants $100 Million to Incentivize Relocation of "Hometown Heroes"
Florida has gone above and beyond to support the relocation of Americans to the Sunshine State by providing over $100 million in down payment and closing cost assistance. This initiative has…
South Berkshire County Benefits from Construct Inc.'s First-Time Homebuyer Grants
Construct Inc., a well-known entity committed to the housing sector, has recently publicized its "final mile" closing cost grant. This grant, valued at $2,500, is aimed at prospective homebuyers in…
Your questions, answered
Who counts as a first-time homebuyer?
How much down payment do I actually need?
Do I have to repay down payment assistance?
What credit score do I need?
Can I combine multiple first-time buyer programs?
Is there an income limit?
Not sure where to start?
Take the 2-minute eligibility quiz. We'll match your situation to the grants most likely to approve you.
Start eligibility quiz