What is down payment assistance?
Down payment assistance is financial funding that helps cover some or all of the upfront costs of buying a house, such as a down payment. You might also be able to qualify for assistance for closing costs. Down payment assistance programs are typically offered by states, cities, counties and nonprofits, and they typically come in the form of loans or grants.
Who can apply
Down payment assistance programs are typically designed for first-time homebuyers. However, some state programs accept applicants who haven’t owned a home within a certain time, often three to five years.
How to get down payment assistance
To get down payment assistance, you’ll need to research programs you might be eligible for and complete any necessary requirements.
1. Research programs
All states have some kind of housing or finance agency, and many cities and counties offer down payment assistance programs. You can also find programs through nonprofits and financing organizations.
2. Check program requirements
In order to qualify for a down payment assistance program, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Requirements vary by program, but typically include:
- Primary residence: The house usually has to be your primary residence.
- Credit: To qualify, you’ll typically have to meet specific credit score requirements and debt-to-income (DTI) requirements, which will vary by program.
- Income: There are usually annual income caps, which vary by program.
3. Complete any requested steps
Most programs require you to complete a homebuyer education course to be eligible for down payment assistance. Depending on the program, you might be able to take a course online or in person.
If you get down payment assistance through your state’s housing finance agency, you must work with a lender approved by that agency. You’ll generally need to get preapproved with an approved mortgage lender before you can apply for assistance.
4. Apply for assistance
You can typically apply for assistance through a program’s website. This generally involves filling out an application and submitting documentation to confirm eligibility. Once you’re approved for assistance, you can then start looking for a home.
Find down payment assistance programs by state
Not all down payment assistance programs are restricted to first-time homebuyers. Some programs incentivize homeownership in targeted areas, even if you’ve bought a house before.
Also, note that down payment assistance programs might not always have funding available. Funding can come and go and vary by year. For the most up-to-date program requirements, it’s best to contact each program directly.
Find your state below for information on available programs:
Alabama
Alabama Housing Finance Authority’s Step Up program is designed to help moderate-income buyers purchase a new or existing home. Funds are secured by a 10-year second mortgage and combined with a 30-year mortgage. You can get up to $10,000 in assistance for all qualifying loan types. To qualify for Step Up, you’ll need to meet certain credit and DTI requirements, plus complete a homeownership education course.
Alaska
The Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan program is designed for people who don’t already own a residential property in Alaska. Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, common-interest development units and some manufactured homes. Additional restrictions may apply. Some nonprofits that typically provide down payment assistance in Alaska are:
Arizona
The Arizona Home Plus program is available to buyers who make less than $146,503 per year. You can also typically find programs by county, such as:
- Pima County Tucson Homebuyer Solution Program
- Home in Five Advantage program (available in Maricopa County, provides up to 7% in down payment assistance costs)
Arkansas
The Arkansas Development Finance Authority offers a down payment assistance program for qualifying applicants. Applicants can get $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance.
California
The California Housing Financing Agency’s MyHome Assistance Program is available to first-time homebuyers with eligible Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and conventional mortgages. You must meet income limits and obtain a homebuyer education certificate to qualify. Eligible properties include single-family and one-unit residences, condos and manufactured housing.
Colorado
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has down payment assistance grants and second mortgage loan options. Also, the Colorado Housing Assistance Corp. provides low-interest down payment assistance loans to low- and moderate-income first-time buyers throughout the state.
Some additional down payment assistance programs can be found through:
Connecticut
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority offers assistance of up to $15,000 for a down payment and closing costs. You might also be able to access local programs, depending on where you live. Some of these include:
Delaware
The Delaware State Housing Authority offers down payment and closing cost assistance. Applicants can qualify for 3% to 5% of the overall loan amount, depending on the program. Some DPA programs are also available in New Castle County and Wilmington.
Florida
The Florida Housing Finance Corp. provides several types of down payment assistance programs. To be eligible, you must generally meet certain income and purchase price requirements, complete a homebuyer education course and have a qualifying FICO Score for a mortgage loan. Some other county programs include:
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has down payment loan options throughout the state through its Georgia Dream Loan Program. Eligible homebuyers may qualify for up to $10,000. DPA of up to $12,500 is available for those who work in public protection, education and health care industries. You could also qualify if a member of your family is living with a disability.
Some other programs in the state include:
Hawaii
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Community Services offers a first-time homebuyer down payment loan program. For income-eligible borrowers, there’s no interest or loan fees.
Other counties and nonprofits also offer down payment assistance. For example, the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center is a nonprofit mortgage broker that helps low- to moderate-income families buy their first homes.
Idaho
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs to eligible buyers. Generally, you’ll need an income below $170,000 to qualify, though some programs may have different requirements.
Illinois
The Illinois Housing Development Authority offers several loan programs for homebuyers, including down payment and closing costs assistance. Some other programs in the state include:
Indiana
The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority offers down payment assistance through its First Step program. Additional local programs include:
Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development & Finance Authority offers grants and loans through down payment and closing cost programs. The FirstHome grant provides buyers with $2,500 to help with down payment and closing costs. The 2nd Loan program offers up to 5% of the home’s sale price or appraisal value (no maximum) and is repayable when you sell, refinance or pay off your first mortgage. No monthly payment is required.
Local programs are also available through:
Kansas
The statewide KansasDPA program provides down payment assistance to qualifying individuals. To qualify, you must have a certain credit score and meet specific income limits for your county. Some other programs in the state include:
Kentucky
Kentucky Housing Corp. offers down payment assistance of up to $12,500. Borrowers must use approved lenders and specific lender requirements may apply. Another assistance program in the state includes the Louisville Down Payment Assistance Program.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Housing Corp. has several down payment assistance options for homebuyers in the state, all of which have varying requirements. Some other DPA programs are available through:
Maine
The Maine State Housing Authority offers several first home loan programs, including options for low or no down payment. You can also get down payment assistance of up to $10,000 if you qualify for its First Generation Program.
Maryland
The Maryland Mortgage Program helps make homeownership more affordable with its down payment assistance program. And in Baltimore, you can take advantage of Live Baltimore loans and grants. Special programs are available for city employees, veterans and first-time buyers. There are also special programs available if you plan to purchase a previously vacant building.
Massachusetts
The ONE Mortgage Program and MassHousing offer down payment assistance programs. Some other programs are also available through:
Michigan
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority offers the MI Home Loan program. It’s available to first-time homebuyers across the state and repeat homebuyers in a few targeted areas. You can get up to $10,000 in assistance statewide.
Minnesota
Minnesota Housing offers down payment and closing costs assistance for first-time homebuyers and repeat homebuyers. Qualified borrowers can get up to $18,000 in assistance.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, you can generally find down payment assistance programs at the county level. For example, Vicksburg, Mississippi offers down payment assistance of up to 4% of the total loan amount.
Missouri
The Missouri Housing Development Commission has First Place and Next Step programs, both of which offer down payment assistance. Some other programs in the state include:
Montana
The Montana Department of Commerce has two programs for down payment and closing cost assistance. Both offer up to $15,000 in assistance, and you’ll need to meet other requirements. Additionally, the HOME program through NeighborWorks Montana provides loans between $2,500 and $25,000. In some cases, assistance of up to $40,000 is available.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority offers the Homebuyer Assistance Program, which includes a first and second mortgage. The Northern Ponca Housing Authority also offers down payment assistance to eligible applicants in eligible counties.
Nevada
The Nevada Housing Division has a Home Is Possible program that offers up to 4% of the total loan amount. It’s available statewide to first-time buyers and nonfirst-time buyers who haven’t owned a home in the past three years. The Nevada Rural Housing Authority also has a Home At Last program that offers down payment assistance.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Housing offers up to $15,000 in downpayment and closing cost help and low or no downpayment requirements. Additionally, Portsmouth’s Home Town Program offers closing cost and down payment assistance to eligible homebuyers.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency provides up to $15,000 for qualified homebuyers to put toward their down payment and closing costs. Funds are provided through an interest-free second mortgage that’s forgivable after five years and requires no monthly payment.
Down payment assistance is also available through:
New Mexico
Housing New Mexico, through the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, offers several down payment assistance programs, including programs for first-time, repeat and low-income buyers. You can also typically find programs at the county level.
New York
New York has a down payment assistance loan program through the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA). The SONYMA loan offers up to $15,000 in assistance and no interest or monthly payments. It can also be forgiven after 10 years. Some other programs in the state include:
North Carolina
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Community Partners Loan Pool provides funding for down payment assistance. Qualified borrowers can get up to $50,000 in assistance. Some other resources in the state are available through:
North Dakota
The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency has a few down payment and closing cost programs. Like other down payment assistance programs, borrowers must meet income and home purchase price limits, though other requirements apply. You can also find down payment assistance through the City of Fargo.
Ohio
Through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, you can get help with a down payment or closing costs. The agency offers 30-year fixed-rate conventional or government-backed mortgages, and assistance is forgivable after seven years unless you sell or refinance. Some other programs in the state include:
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency provides down payment assistance and works with lending institutions across the state. Some other resources in the state include:
Oregon
Through Oregon Housing and Community Services, eligible homebuyers may qualify for up to $60,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. For more programs in the state, check out Oregon Realtors, an advocacy group that publishes a list of updated DPA programs by county.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency offers grants and loans for down payments and closing costs. Some other programs in the state include:
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Housing offers several programs that provide down payment and closing cost assistance. Some other programs in Rhode Island are available through:
South Carolina
SC Housing offers several down payment assistance programs. Some other programs in the state include:
South Dakota
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority provides down payment and closing costs assistance between 3% to 5% of the mortgage loan amount. You might also be able to find county-specific programs in the state.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency offers down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers, repeat homebuyers and military or veteran homebuyers. It offers a deferred option with no payments, which provides up to $6,000 in assistance, plus an amortizing option with payments, which provides up to $15,000 in assistance.
Some other programs in the state include:
Texas
The Texas State Affordable Housing Corp. offers 30-year fixed interest rate loans, down payment assistance grants and mortgage credit certificates (MCC). Some other programs in the state are available through:
Utah
The Utah Housing Corp. can provide down payment assistance to those already qualified for a Utah Housing Corp. first mortgage home loan. Some other programs available in Utah include:
Vermont
Vermont Housing Finance Agency offers down payment assistance through its ASSIST program, where qualified buyers can get up to $10,000 in assistance.
Virginia
Virginia Housing’s down payment assistance grant is available to eligible first-time buyers throughout the state, though it’s only available for eligible Virginia Housing loans. Some other programs available in the state include:
Washington
Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers down payment assistance of 3% to 5% of the mortgage loan amount. Some other programs in the state include:
West Virginia
The West Virginia Housing Development Fund provides down payment and closing costs assistance. Its Low Down Home Loan offers up to $8,000 in assistance. Some cities and counties in the state also offer assistance, such as the City of Martinsburg.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority provides assistance for down payments and closing costs. Some other programs in the state include:
Wyoming
The Wyoming Community Development Authority offers down payment assistance loans of up to $15,000, though borrowers must contribute up to $1,500. It also offers other programs to make homebuying easier, such as loans with low or 0% interest rates.
Federal-backed down payment assistance
There are some other down payment assistance programs available, plus government-backed loans, which require low or no down payments.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Fannie Mae allows three main sources of down payment and closing cost assistance: grants, gifts and a program called Community Seconds. Freddie Mac also accepts down payment assistance through Affordable Seconds.
Government-backed loans
While not technically down payment assistance, government-backed loans often come with lower or no down payment requirements.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans: Eligible service members, veterans and their eligible family members can qualify for a VA loan, which doesn’t require a down payment.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans: USDA loans are available to homebuyers in eligible rural areas. No down payment is required.
- FHA loans: With FHA loans, you can put down anywhere from 3.5% to 10%.
FAQ
How long does it take to get down payment assistance?
If you meet eligibility requirements, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months to get down payment assistance. The approval timeline generally varies by program and location, and some programs have a waitlist.
What if I have no money for a down payment on a house?
If you don’t have money for a down payment on a house, look into whether you can qualify for a down payment assistance program or a federal loan program that requires 0% down. If you’re unable to qualify for a program, you might consider asking a family member to loan or gift you money or else put off buying a home until you’re able to save up enough money.
How much of a down payment do I need for a $300,000 house?
How much you need for a down payment depends on the type of loan you’re interested in, such as a conventional mortgage or a government-backed mortgage. For a conventional loan, homebuyers typically put down between 3% and 20%. If you don’t want to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), you’ll need to put down 20%. For government-backed loans, you can typically put down between 0% to 10%, depending on the program.
Why don't I qualify for down payment assistance?
You might not qualify for down payment assistance if your credit score is too low, your DTI ratio is too high or your income is too high. Down payment assistance programs generally have minimum credit score, maximum DTI and maximum income requirements.
What is the Chenoa Fund?
The Chenoa Fund, available through CBC Mortgage Agency, helps homeowners cover up to 3.5% of their down payments. Depending on your credit score and income, you can receive a grant, a forgivable second mortgage or a regular second mortgage.
Bottom line
Down payment assistance programs can put homeownership within reach if you’re a first-time homebuyer, and some programs provide assistance even if you’ve previously purchased a home. Just remember that programs vary by state. You’ll need to investigate each program’s requirements to make sure you qualify for assistance.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “State Information.” Accessed Jan. 7, 2026.
