Find grants and forgivable loans in your state to help cover your down payment and closing costs.
Every state in America operates down payment assistance programs through its housing finance agency (HFA). Beyond state programs, hundreds of city, county, and nonprofit programs add to the total. This guide covers the major programs in each state to help you find the down payment assistance you need.
The programs listed below represent the primary HFA programs in each state. Many states also have additional city and county programs not listed here. Contact your local housing authority or a knowledgeable lender for a complete list of options in your area.
1. Find your state in the list below.
2. Note the HFA name and programs offered.
3. Check income limits and eligibility for your area.
4. Contact an approved lender in your state to apply.
5. Ask about combining state programs with first-time buyer grants.
Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA)
AHFA offers the Step Up program providing up to 4% of the loan amount in down payment assistance as a forgivable second mortgage. The assistance is forgiven after 10 years. Income limits vary by county. The program pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. Minimum credit score is 640.
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
AHFC provides closing cost assistance and down payment help through their First Home Limited program. The program offers interest rate reductions and up to $10,000 in DPA. No first-time buyer requirement for standard programs. Minimum credit score is 620. The program works with conventional and government-backed loans.
Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Arizona IDA)
Arizona IDA offers the HOME Plus program providing up to 5% of the loan amount in down payment assistance. The assistance comes as a three-year forgivable second mortgage. Income limits reach up to $122,100 depending on household size and county. The program pairs with FHA and conventional loans with minimum 640 credit score.
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)
CalHFA offers multiple DPA programs. The MyHome Assistance Program provides a deferred-payment junior loan up to 3.5% of the purchase price. The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan provides up to 20% of the purchase price as a shared appreciation loan. The forgivable Equity Builder program offers up to 10% for qualifying buyers. CalHFA programs pair with FHA and conventional first mortgages.
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)
CHFA provides up to 3% of the first mortgage loan amount as a non-repayable grant or up to 4% as a second mortgage loan. The grant option requires no repayment. The second mortgage option carries 0% interest with no monthly payment. Income limits vary by county with maximums around $150,000 in some areas.
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
CHFA offers the DAP Loan providing up to $20,000 in down payment assistance as a low-interest second mortgage. The program also provides below-market first mortgage rates. Teachers, police officers, and certain other professionals receive additional benefits. Minimum credit score is 620.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Florida Housing offers several powerful DPA options. The Florida Assist provides up to $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage at 0% interest. The HLP Second Mortgage provides up to $10,000 at 3% interest over 15 years. The Hometown Heroes Program serves over 50 professions including teachers, nurses, and first responders with up to 5% of the loan amount. Florida also has local programs providing up to $35,000 in some counties.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Georgia Dream provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a no-interest second mortgage. Public protectors, educators, healthcare workers, and active military members receive an additional $2,500. The program requires a minimum credit score of 640 and completion of homebuyer education.
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
IHDA offers the Access Forgivable program with up to $6,000 in forgivable down payment assistance. The Access Deferred program provides up to $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage. The SmartBuy program helps borrowers with student loan debt. Opening Doors grants provide $6,000 in assistance that never needs repayment.
Maryland Department of Housing
Maryland offers the 1st Time Advantage program with up to $6,000 in DPA. The SmartBuy 3.0 program helps buyers with student loan debt by paying up to $30,000 toward student loans at closing. The Partner Match program provides $2 for every $1 the buyer saves, up to $5,000 in matched funds.
MassHousing
MassHousing provides DPA loans of up to $50,000 in the city of Boston and up to $30,000 statewide. The assistance comes as a 15-year, 2% interest second mortgage with no payments for the first year. The MassHousing MI Plus program includes complimentary mortgage insurance with job loss protection.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
MSHDA offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance in most areas and up to $15,000 in targeted areas. The assistance is a 0% interest, non-amortizing loan due when you sell or refinance. The program works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. No first-time buyer requirement.
State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)
SONYMA provides the Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) of up to $15,000. The program also offers the Achieving the Dream program with reduced interest rates. Additional assistance is available through the HomeFirst program in New York City, providing up to $100,000 for qualifying buyers in targeted areas.
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)
NCHFA offers the NC Home Advantage Mortgage with up to 3% of the loan amount in down payment assistance. The assistance comes as a forgivable second mortgage at 0% interest. The NC 1st Home Advantage provides $15,000 to first-time buyers and veterans. Both programs offer below-market first mortgage rates.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
OHFA provides the MyOhioHome.org program with down payment assistance of 2.5% or 5% of the purchase price. The assistance comes as a forgivable second loan. The Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance program offers either 2.5% as a gift or 5% as a loan. Programs pair with 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages at competitive rates.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
PHFA offers the Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan providing up to 4% of the purchase price or $6,000, whichever is less. The assistance is a zero-interest second mortgage repaid over 10 years. The K-FIT program provides up to 5% as a forgivable second mortgage. Additional programs exist for veterans and buyers in targeted areas.
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
TSAHC provides the Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas programs. Both offer up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant that never needs repayment. The Heroes program serves teachers, police, firefighters, EMS personnel, corrections officers, and veterans. The Texas Department of Housing also offers My First Texas Home with up to 5% in DPA as a deferred forgivable second lien.
Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA)
Virginia Housing offers multiple DPA options. The Closing Cost Assistance Grant provides up to 2% of the purchase price as a non-repayable grant. The Down Payment Assistance Grant provides 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price. Programs combine with Virginia Housing first mortgages at competitive rates. No first-time buyer requirement for standard programs.
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)
WSHFC offers the Home Advantage DPA program providing up to 4% of the loan amount as a deferred second mortgage at 0% interest. The House Key Opportunity program offers up to $10,000 for lower-income buyers. Programs include below-market first mortgage rates and work with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans.
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
The Delaware State Housing Authority offers two down payment assistance programs through its home loan program. The Preferred Plus program provides a deferred down payment assistance second mortgage of up to 4% of the loan amount. Programs for first-time buyers include below-market rates combined with DPA. The payment program requires a minimum 620 credit score and homebuyer education. Borrowers can purchase a home in any Delaware county and buy a home with minimal out of pocket expenses through this payment and closing cost assistance program.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Minnesota Housing offers several programs including the Start Up mortgage program with payment assistance for first-time buyers. The agency offers two down payment assistance program options: a monthly payment loan and a deferred option. The mortgage program offers down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $18,000 through the Enhanced Homeownership Capacity program. Several down payment assistance options exist, and the Keystone Advantage Assistance loan program model has inspired similar structures. Closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers is available through multiple channels. Payment assistance with a mortgage from Minnesota Housing provides comprehensive support to buy a home.
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
THDA offers the Great Choice Home Loan program with several programs for down payment and closing cost help. The homeownership program provides payment assistance programs for first-time buyers with up to $6,000 as a forgivable second mortgage. Assistance programs for first-time buyers can be combined with mortgages with down payment assistance from national sources. The payment requirements include a 640 minimum credit score. THDA helps qualified buyers purchase a home with reduced upfront costs through their comprehensive home loan program.
Every remaining state also offers down payment assistance through its housing finance agency. States not detailed above include Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Contact your state HFA or visit HUD.gov for specific program details.
Beyond state programs, several national DPA options serve buyers across the country. These can often be combined with state and local programs for maximum benefit.
Provides 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price in DPA. Available as a forgivable or repayable second mortgage. Works with FHA loans in all 50 states. No income limits in most areas.
Offers up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant or forgivable second. Available nationwide through participating lenders. Works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans.
Provides a 50% discount on home prices for law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and teachers. Homes must be in HUD revitalization areas. Requires a three-year residency commitment.
USDA loans offer zero down payment in eligible areas. The program serves 97% of US land mass. Income limits apply based on household size and county.
The application process for state DPA programs follows a similar pattern across most states. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect.
Visit your state housing finance agency website to review available programs. Most HFA websites include eligibility calculators, income limit tables, and lists of approved lenders. The HFA is your primary resource for understanding program options.
State DPA programs require you to work with approved lenders. Not every bank or mortgage company participates in DPA programs. Your state HFA website lists approved lenders by area. Choose one with experience processing DPA applications.
Nearly all state programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online courses from Framework, eHome America, and other approved providers typically cost $75 to $125. The course covers budgeting, mortgages, and the home buying process. Save your certificate of completion.
Work with your approved lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage. The pre-approval process determines your loan amount, interest rate, and DPA eligibility simultaneously. Understand the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification before starting.
Once pre-approved and DPA-eligible, begin house hunting. When you find the right property, your lender coordinates the DPA funds with your mortgage closing. The DPA is applied at the closing table alongside your primary mortgage.
Pro Tip
Many state programs have limited annual funding. Apply early in the fiscal year when budgets are freshly allocated. Some states open applications in January, others in July. Check your state HFA for specific dates and set calendar reminders.
California, Texas, Florida, and New York offer some of the most generous programs. CalHFA provides up to 20% of the purchase price. TSAHC in Texas offers up to 5% as a non-repayable grant. Florida's Hometown Heroes program serves over 50 professions.
State programs only work in that state. However, national programs like the Chenoa Fund and National Homebuyers Fund operate in all 50 states. You can often combine national and state programs.
Not always. Many programs serve repeat buyers. The federal first-time buyer definition includes anyone who has not owned in three years. Programs for veterans, teachers, or targeted areas often skip the first-time requirement entirely.
Approval typically takes 2 to 6 weeks after submitting a complete application. Factor in time for homebuyer education completion. Some lottery-based programs may take longer.
In many cases, yes. State HFA programs often layer with city or county programs. Some states allow combining with national programs. Check each program's rules regarding stacking assistance.
A local real estate agent can connect you with DPA programs and approved lenders in your area. Get matched with a top agent for free.
Find My AgentUnderstanding the types of down payment assistance helps you compare options. Each state offers a mix of homeownership programs through its housing program and additional homebuyer assistance initiatives. The most common types include payment or closing cost grants, deferred payment loans, and first-time homebuyer program specific aid.
Many states pair their assistance for first-time homebuyers with a home loan at below-market rates. These mortgage programs combine a loan program from the state HFA with down payment assistance options to create a comprehensive package. The homeownership program structure varies: some offer a payment loan as a second mortgage while others provide outright grants.
To receive down payment assistance, you typically need to complete homebuyer education and work with an approved lender. Several down payment assistance programs available in each state can be combined with mortgages and down payment assistance from national sources. Look for loans and down payment assistance that pair together, especially payment assistance programs available through your local housing program.
Whether you need help with a deferred payment second mortgage or a direct closing cost grant, your state HFA can connect you with the right program. Many states offer multiple payment assistance options including forgivable second mortgages, non-repayable grants, and matched savings accounts designed for first-time homebuyer program participants.
Down payment assistance programs represent billions of dollars in available help for home buyers. Most states offer multiple programs with different eligibility requirements, assistance amounts, and structures. The right program for you depends on your income, location, profession, and home buying timeline.
Start your research today by visiting your state HFA website and exploring the programs listed above. For a broader overview of DPA options, read our comprehensive down payment assistance guide. If you are unsure how much down payment you need, our complete breakdown helps you calculate the exact amount for your situation.
Many of these programs offer down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of grants or forgivable loans. If you stay in the home for the required period, forgivable loans cost you nothing. These programs to help homebuyers include down payment assistance that varies based on location and income. The assistance may cover all or part of your upfront costs.
The assistance comes in the form of a second mortgage, grant, or matched savings. There are two types of down payment assistance most commonly offered: repayable and non-repayable. A homebuyer down payment assistance program is available in every state, and the payment assistance you can receive depends on your eligibility. States offer a variety of down payment assistance through programs for homebuyers at every income level. You can also get down payment assistance from national programs and community organizations that offer assistance alongside state HFA options.
Remember that funding is limited and programs can change annually. The programs described above reflect current offerings, but details may change. Always verify current terms and eligibility directly with your state housing finance agency or an approved lender. Connect with an experienced real estate agent who understands local DPA options in your market.