58 Texas First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Programs (2026)

Saving enough cash for a down payment and closing costs while home prices and rents stay high is the single biggest hurdle for most Texans trying to buy their first place.

This guide breaks down all 58 verified Texas first-time home buyer programs—including statewide grants, forgivable second liens, federal tax credits, and city and county assistance—with the current 2026 rules from official program guidelines.

Check Your Texas Home Purchase Eligibility

You will see how much each program provides, who qualifies, which city programs are open or paused as of October 2026, and how to check your eligibility and get connected with a participating lender.

Quick Comparison: All 58 Texas Programs at a Glance

Use this table to compare every verified statewide, regional, and local homebuyer program in our 2026 Texas catalog, then click any program name to jump straight to its full rules.

Check Your Texas Home Purchase Eligibility

Requirements for Texas First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Every Texas first-time home buyer program sets its own rules, but most state and local options check the same core qualifications before reserving funds. Knowing the requirements to buy a house in Texas upfront helps you narrow this list of 58 programs to the ones you can actually use.

• First-time homebuyer status (with major exceptions): TDHCA My First Texas Home, TSAHC Bond DPA, Mortgage Credit Certificates, and many city programs require that you have not owned and occupied a primary residence in the past 3 years (for My First Texas Home, this includes any non-purchasing spouse). TDHCA verifies this with 3 years of tax returns or IRS transcripts. However, qualified veterans and buyers purchasing in an IRS Qualified Targeted Census Tract are exempt, and programs like TDHCA My Choice Texas Home, TSAHC Non-Bond DPA, and SETH 5 Star do not require you to be a first-time buyer at all.
• Credit score minimums: Both TDHCA and TSAHC require a minimum middle credit score of 620 for government loans (FHA, VA, and USDA). TSAHC requires 640 for HFA conventional loans and manufactured homes, and SETH 5 Star requires 640 across all loan types. Local programs vary from 580 (Harris County DAP, NHSSA) to 600 (Brownsville, and an average score in College Station) to 640 (Travis County Hill Country Home).
• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: For loans approved through automated underwriting (AUS), TDHCA follows the AUS findings and TSAHC sets no maximum DTI. If your loan requires manual underwriting, both TDHCA and TSAHC cap your maximum DTI at 45% (TSAHC allows manual underwriting on FHA loans only, while TDHCA allows it on FHA, VA, and USDA loans). City programs often set stricter caps, such as 42% in Grand Prairie and Harris County or 33%/45% in Houston.
• Income and purchase price limits: Most programs cap household or qualifying income, often by county and household size, and bond programs, MCCs, and many city programs also cap the home's purchase price. You can look up the current county-by-county numbers in our guide to Texas homebuyer income and purchase price limits, and we have included the 2026 statewide tables right below.
• Pre-purchase homebuyer education: Both TDHCA and TSAHC require a pre-purchase homebuyer education course before closing, and city programs typically require an 8-hour HUD-approved class. TDHCA accepts Finally Home!, Freddie Mac CreditSmart Homebuyer U, Fannie Mae HomeView, or any HUD-certified course (financial-literacy-only courses do not count).
• Primary residence occupancy: You must buy a home in Texas and move in as your principal residence—within 60 days of closing for TDHCA, TSAHC, and Texas Veterans Land Board loans. Local forgivable loans often require you to live in the home for an affordability period, ranging from 5 to 30 years depending on the program.

2026 TDHCA & TSAHC Income and Purchase Price Limits (Major Counties)

Statewide limits change annually, so buyers should confirm the current figures for their county and household size with a participating lender. According to TDHCA's official limits table (effective July 13, 2026) and TSAHC's county income limits tool (accessed October 26, 2026), here are the current published 1-unit non-targeted figures for major Texas counties:

Note: TDHCA My Choice Texas Home (MCTH) and TSAHC Non-Bond DPA (when used without an MCC) have no purchase price limit. For bond loans and MCCs, TSAHC's published purchase price cap is $1 higher in several counties (such as $566,355 in Harris County and $583,581 in Bexar County), and Targeted Areas allow higher income and purchase price limits.

Texas Statewide Programs

Most Texas buyers start with the statewide programs run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC), the Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH), the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), and USDA Rural Development. Interest rates and available assistance tiers are set daily by the programs, so a participating lender can quote today's rate and confirm which options are open.

TDHCA My First Texas Home (MFTH)

• Sponsor: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), serviced by The Money Source (TMS)
• Amount & Type: 2% to 5% of the total loan amount as a 0% interest second lien with no monthly payments, paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, or USDA first mortgage (conventional loans are not offered under MFTH). TDHCA's program matrix includes two second-lien structures: a 30-Year Deferred Repayable second lien (due on sale, refinance, transfer, or first-mortgage payoff) and a 3-Year Deferred Forgivable second lien (forgiven after 36 months if you stay current on the first mortgage and occupy the home). On TDHCA's October 26, 2026 Rate Notice, standalone MFTH bond loans offer the 30-year deferred option (with 3%, 4%, and 5% tiers available that day), while the 3-year forgivable option is offered under the COMBO: MFTH + MCC option (2% to 4% tiers). TDHCA's matrix and its daily Rate Notice do not line up on which second-lien structure is offered with standalone MFTH, and availability changes day to day, so confirm the current option with a participating lender. An un-assisted (no-DPA) first mortgage with a lower rate is also available, but it cannot be combined with an MCC.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (no primary residence ownership in the last 3 years by the borrower or non-purchasing spouse), honorably discharged qualified veterans (DD-214) who have not already used the veteran exemption, or buyers purchasing in a Qualified Targeted Census Tract. Requires a 620 minimum middle credit score, a HUD-certified homebuyer course, and household income and purchase price within TDHCA's county limits.
• Key Rules: First-time buyers must sign a Texas Residency Affidavit showing a current Texas address (waived for veteran and targeted-area exemptions). Eligible properties include 1-unit single-family homes, condos, PUDs, manufactured homes titled as real property, and duplexes where you occupy one unit and the property has been residential for at least 5 years. No FHA 203(k) loans and no cash back to the borrower. Subject to federal recapture tax.
• Status: Open (first come, first served, while funding lasts; check our full My First Texas Home Program guide for details).

TDHCA My Choice Texas Home (MCTH)

• Sponsor: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
• Amount & Type: 2% to 5% of the total loan amount as either a 30-Year Deferred Repayable 0% second lien or a 3-Year Deferred Forgivable 0% second lien (forgiven after 36 months), paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage first mortgage. Both the 30-year deferred and 3-year forgivable options are active on TDHCA's October 26, 2026 Rate Notice.
• Who Qualifies: First-time and repeat homebuyers (you do not need to be a first-time buyer). Requires a 620 minimum credit score and a HUD-certified pre-purchase homebuyer course. Income is capped at 170% AMFI for government loans (for example, $176,800 in Harris County and $205,870 in Dallas County) and follows Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac county AMI tiers for conventional loans.
• Key Rules: No purchase price limit, no recapture tax, and tax returns are not required by TDHCA. Only the borrowers' income on the 1003 loan application is counted toward the income limit (a non-purchasing spouse's income is excluded). If your current home was bought with TDHCA assistance, that DPA balance must be paid off at or before closing. Cannot be combined with a TDHCA MCC.
• Status: Open (see our complete My Choice Texas Home Program breakdown).

Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (TXMCC)

• Sponsor: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
• Amount & Type: A non-refundable federal income tax credit equal to 15% of the mortgage interest you pay each year (per TDHCA's October 26, 2026 Rate Notice; check the daily Rate Notice for the current credit rate) for the life of the loan as long as the home remains your primary residence. Under IRS Form 8396 rules, the federal $2,000 annual cap applies only when an MCC credit rate is above 20%, so at the current 15% rate there is no $2,000 cap—your credit is 15% of annual mortgage interest, limited by your annual federal tax liability, with unused credit carried forward up to 3 tax years.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers, qualified veterans, and buyers in targeted census tracts who meet the MFTH/MCC household income and purchase price limits and complete homebuyer education.
• Key Rules: Can be used as a COMBO: My First Texas Home + MCC ($400 issuance fee, waived for military) with an FHA, VA, or USDA loan and either the 30-year deferred or 3-year forgivable DPA second lien. Can also be used as a Standalone MCC paired with an outside FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan (no minimum credit score for the standalone MCC itself, $1,000 issuance fee waived for the military standalone option plus $225 compliance review, and cannot be combined with any bond mortgage or outside DPA grant or loan). Subject to federal recapture tax.
• Status: Open.

TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program

• Sponsor: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC), serviced by Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC
• Amount & Type: 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total loan amount toward down payment and closing costs, paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA (including limited 203(k)), VA, USDA-RHS, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage first mortgage. TSAHC offers three DPA structures depending on loan type:
  • Grant (2%–5%): Available on Non-Bond and Bond FHA, VA, and USDA loans (not available on HFA conventional loans). There is no second lien, but TSAHC's published terms conflict: its guidelines say the grant does not need to be repaid after 6 months from the first-lien closing date, while its consumer pages say it never has to be repaid. Confirm the six-month condition with a participating lender.
  • 3-Year Deferred Forgivable Second Lien (2%–5%): Available on all loan types (FHA, VA, USDA, and HFA conventional). 0% interest, no monthly payments, forgiven in full on the third anniversary of the Note (not pro-rated) if you do not sell, refinance, transfer, or move out during the first 3 years.
  • 30-Year Deferred Repayable Second Lien (4% or 5%, when available): Bond DPA only, for FHA, VA, or USDA loans. 0% interest, no monthly payments, repaid on sale, refinance, transfer, or maturity.
  • No-DPA Option: A 0% DPA first mortgage at a competitive rate that can be paired with a TSAHC MCC or local city/county DPA.
• Who Qualifies: Low- and moderate-income buyers in any profession whose income is at or below TSAHC's county limit. No first-time buyer requirement and no Texas residency requirement for Non-Bond DPA or No DPA (without an MCC). Bond DPA requires first-time buyer status (waived in Targeted Areas and for qualified veterans) and income at or below 80% AMFI. Minimum credit score is 620 for FHA, VA, and USDA loans and 640 for HFA conventional loans and manufactured homes (scores of 620–639 carry a 0.25% origination charge on government loans).
• Key Rules: No purchase price limit when using Non-Bond DPA without an MCC. Temporary (2-1, 1-1, 1-0) and permanent rate buydowns are allowed on Non-Bond loans (not funded by the borrower; not allowed on Bond loans). Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, PUDs, 2–4 unit properties (residential at least 5 years, owner-occupied), and eligible manufactured homes (1994 or newer; single-wide allowed on conventional only) qualify. Homebuyer education is required before closing.
• Status: Open (read our dedicated Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program guide).

TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes

• Sponsor: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
• Amount & Type: 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total loan amount as a Grant (FHA/VA/USDA), a 3-Year Deferred Forgivable Second Lien (all loan types, including HFA conventional), or a Bond 30-Year Deferred Repayable Second Lien (4% or 5% when available, FHA/VA/USDA), plus a No-DPA option. Loan types, credit scores (620 government / 640 conventional), DTI rules, and property rules are identical to Home Sweet Texas.
• Who Qualifies: Full-time workers in 10 eligible professions, plus qualifying veterans and active-duty military:
  • Professional Educators: Full-time public K-12 classroom teachers, teacher aides, school librarians, school counselors, and public K-12 school nurses.
  • First Responders & Law Enforcement: Full-time Peace Officers (TCOLE-licensed), Fire Fighters (full-time fire suppression, inspection, investigation, rescue, training, education, or administration; clerical/support staff excluded), Emergency Medical Services Personnel (EMTs and paramedics), County Jailers, Public Security Officers (employed by the state or a political subdivision), TDCJ Corrections Officers receiving hazardous duty pay, and TJJD Juvenile Corrections Officers receiving hazardous duty pay.
  • Higher Education Health Faculty: Full-time Nursing Faculty Members in undergraduate or graduate professional nursing programs, and full-time Allied Health Faculty Members in undergraduate or graduate allied health programs at Texas colleges and universities.
  • Veterans & Active Duty: Active-duty service members stationed in Texas with Texas as their home of record, qualifying veterans (including Texas National Guard and reservists meeting service rules), and unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who died or are missing in action.
  • Important eligibility note: Hospital RNs and other nurses outside K-12 school nurses and nursing faculty, as well as licensed social workers, are not on the eligible list because 2025 bills SB 536 and SB 845 did not pass the Texas Legislature. Those buyers can use Home Sweet Texas or TDHCA programs instead.
• Key Rules: Heroes buyers get higher county income limits on Non-Bond and No-DPA government and above-80%-AMI conventional loans than Home Sweet Texas buyers (for example, $176,800 vs. $156,000 in Harris County and $205,870 vs. $181,650 in Dallas County), and the $400 MCC issuance fee is waived when combining Non-Bond DPA with a TSAHC MCC. Borrowers must live in Texas or show intent to become Texas residents by accepting a full-time job in an eligible profession.
• Status: Open (explore our Homes for Texas Heroes overview to check your profession).

TSAHC Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

• Sponsor: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
• Amount & Type: A federal income tax credit equal to 15% of the mortgage interest paid each year with no $2,000 annual cap (capped only by your annual federal income tax liability, with unused credit carried forward up to 3 years). In TSAHC's published example, a $240,000 loan produces about $18,000 in first-year interest, resulting in a $2,700 first-year tax credit, while the remaining $15,300 in interest stays eligible for the mortgage interest deduction.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (waived in Targeted Areas and for qualified veterans under 38 U.S.C. 101; active-duty members without prior qualifying veteran status do not receive the first-time waiver) who meet TSAHC's MCC household income limits (100% AMFI for 1–2 persons, 115% AMFI for 3+ persons, higher in Targeted Areas) and county purchase price limits.
• Key Rules: Must be paired with a TSAHC Non-Bond DPA or No-DPA first mortgage (cannot be combined with TSAHC Bond DPA, and TSAHC's standalone MCC has been discontinued since November 1, 2023). The $400 MCC issuance fee is free (waived) for Homes for Texas Heroes buyers using Non-Bond DPA + MCC, and is $400 for Home Sweet Texas buyers. A federal recapture tax may apply if you sell within 9 years.
• Status: Open (confirmed by TSAHC's September 2026 Qualified MCC Program implementation notice).

SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Homebuyer Assistance Program

• Sponsor: Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH)
• Amount & Type: Up to 5% of the loan amount as a 0% second loan with no monthly payments, offered in two options: a 3-year forgivable second loan (forgiven in full after 3 years) or a 30-year deferred second loan (repaid on sale, refinance, or at the end of the 30-year term). A "Best Rate" option with no DPA is also available. Paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan.
• Who Qualifies: First-time and repeat homebuyers with a minimum 640 credit score who meet SETH's published income limits and complete the SETH online homebuyer education course ($100, or free for buyers under Charter income limits; offered in English and Spanish).
• Key Rules: Available statewide except inside the city limits of El Paso, McKinney, and Grand Prairie (buyers in Travis County should also confirm eligibility with a SETH lender).
• Status: Active.

Texas Veterans Land Board: Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP)

• Sponsor: Texas General Land Office / Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB)
• Amount & Type: Fixed-rate first mortgage of up to $832,750 with 15-, 20-, 25-, or 30-year terms and little or no down payment, used with VA, FHA, or conventional financing through a VLB participating lender. The base interest rate adjusts weekly, and veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability receive a discounted interest rate.
• Who Qualifies: Texas residents age 18 or older who are active-duty military, Texas National Guard members, reservists with 20 qualifying years, veterans with at least 90 days of active duty and an honorable, general, or medical discharge, or eligible unmarried surviving spouses (MIA or service-connected death). No first-time buyer requirement is stated on the VLB program page.
• Key Rules: The home must be in Texas, become your primary residence within 60 days of closing, and be occupied by you for at least 3 years. VLB loans cannot be used for a down payment or for refinancing.
• Status: Active.

USDA Rural Development Section 502 Direct Home Loan

• Sponsor: USDA Rural Development
• Amount & Type: Direct first-mortgage loan up to the county area loan limit with no down payment typically required, a term of up to 33 years (or 38 years for very-low-income borrowers), and payment assistance (subsidy) that can lower your effective interest rate. Rates are set by USDA and change over time, so confirm today's rate with your local USDA Rural Development office.
• Who Qualifies: Low- and very-low-income households (at or below the area low-income limit) who are currently without decent, safe, and sanitary housing and are unable to obtain credit elsewhere on reasonable terms.
• Key Rules: The property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area of Texas, serve as your primary residence, and stay under the county area loan limit. Payment subsidies are subject to recapture when the home is sold or vacated.
• Status: Open (year-round intake through local USDA Rural Development offices).

Capital Area HFC Additional Gift Funds (TDHCA Add-On)

• Sponsor: Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation (paired with TDHCA)
• Amount & Type: $7,500 in gift funds in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Lee, and Llano counties, or $2,500 in gift funds in Hays and Williamson counties. True gift funds with no repayment.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers using a TDHCA My First Texas Home (MFTH), MFTH Combo, TDHCA no-DPA first lien, or My Choice Texas Home (MCTH) loan in one of the nine eligible Central Texas counties.
• Key Rules: Stacks directly with TDHCA financing on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts. The gift amounts come from a TDHCA flyer effective May 27, 2025, so confirm the current-year amounts with a participating lender.
• Status: Open (while funds last).

Harris County HFC Additional Gift Funds (TDHCA Add-On)

• Sponsor: Harris County Housing Finance Corporation (paired with TDHCA)
• Amount & Type: $1,000 in gift funds with no repayment.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers using a TDHCA My First Texas Home (MFTH) or TDHCA no-DPA first lien (not available with MCTH) in Harris County outside the cities of Baytown, Deer Park, Friendswood, Houston, La Porte, League City, Missouri City, Pasadena, and Pearland.
• Key Rules: First come, first served while funds last through a TDHCA participating lender.
• Status: Open (while funds last).

McKinney HFC Additional Gift Funds (TDHCA Add-On)

• Sponsor: McKinney Housing Finance Corporation (paired with TDHCA)
• Amount & Type: $5,000 in gift funds with no repayment.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers purchasing inside the City of McKinney using an eligible TDHCA loan (not available with My Choice Texas Home). TDHCA applies Collin County limits.
• Key Rules: First come, first served while funds last.
• Status: Open (while funds last).

Check Your Texas Home Purchase Eligibility

Houston Area Programs

Buyers in Houston, Harris County, Baytown, Galveston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land have seven local programs in addition to the statewide options above. Because two major Houston-area programs are paused or restricted as of October 2026, many Houston buyers will want to look first at TDHCA, TSAHC, or SETH 5 Star.

City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)

• Sponsor: City of Houston Housing & Community Development (HCD)
• Amount & Type: Up to $75,000 (based on need) as a 0% interest, no-payment forgivable loan secured by a lien for down payment, closing costs, principal reduction, and approved prepaids. Under the city's HAP Guidelines v8.0 (effective June 2026), loans up to $50,000 are forgiven over 5 years (20% per year), and loans from $50,000.01 to $75,000 are forgiven over 8 years (12.5% per year).
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in the last 3 years) at or below 80% AMI buying a home that pays City of Houston taxes. No minimum credit score is set by the city, DTI is capped at 33%/45%, liquid assets must be under $50,000, the buyer must contribute at least $350, and an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course must be completed before applying.
• Key Rules: No sales price cap (the price may not exceed the appraised value). The unforgiven balance is due if you sell, rent, stop living in the home, or take a cash-out refinance during the affordability period. Assistance is suspended for homes in the Fifth Ward/Kashmere Gardens UPRR (EPA) sampling zone.
• Status: Paused — funds exhausted as of October 2026, with no reopening date announced. The City of Houston states it is no longer accepting or processing additional applications at this time; buyers must reapply once funding is replenished, and homebuyer workshops are still scheduled for November 2026. See our Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program guide for details.

City of Houston Affordable Home Development Program (AHDP)

• Sponsor: City of Houston Housing & Community Development (HCD)
• Amount & Type: City development funding reduces the sales price of designated new-construction homes, and buyers may also receive a city second lien forgiven over a 5-year affordability period.
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with household income at or below 120% AMI, a lender pre-approval letter dated within 120 days, and an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education certificate.
• Key Rules: Applies only to designated new-construction developments taxed by the City of Houston. The city says benefits cannot be combined with other city assistance such as HAP ("no double-dipping"). Developer funding is exhausted, so no new developments are being added.
• Status: Open in four developments as of October 2026: OST/South Union (Agape Homes), Fairwoods at Furman in South Acres/Hwy 288 (Five Woods Realty), OST–South Union on MLK (Mayberry Homes; the city's listing wording is ambiguous, so confirm availability), and Northeast Houston (Robins Landing, Houston Habitat for Humanity).

Harris County Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)

• Sponsor: Harris County Housing & Community Development
• Amount & Type: Up to $40,000 as a 0% forgivable "silent" second lien, consisting of a $27,100 base award for down payment, prepaids, and closing costs plus incentives within the cap (such as a home warranty, flood or wind insurance, and HOA fee coverage). The affordability period is 5 years for awards up to $25,000 and 10 years for awards above $25,000 up to $40,000.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (3 years) at or below 80% AMI who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, with a 580+ credit score, front-end ratio up to 39% and back-end DTI up to 42%, liquid assets up to $30,000, a minimum $1,000 buyer contribution, and an 8-hour HUD-approved education course plus budget counseling. Applicants must show impact from Hurricane Beryl or the May 2024 Houston derecho, or have lived in a HUD-designated Most Impacted and Distressed area.
• Key Rules: Property must be a 1-unit home in unincorporated Harris County within disaster-impacted areas, outside flood hazard areas, with a maximum purchase price of $285,000 for existing homes or $296,000 for new construction.
• Status: Restricted as of October 2026 — open only to households affected by Hurricane Beryl or the derecho; the county states that applications from non-affected households can no longer be accepted because the program is at capacity.

City of Baytown First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program

• Sponsor: City of Baytown Community Development (CDBG)
• Amount & Type: Up to 5% of the sales price for down payment and closing costs (the city page does not state the specific loan or forgiveness structure; confirm with Baytown Community Development).
• Who Qualifies: Buyers age 18 or older with household income at or below 80% of median income who qualify for mortgage financing, complete approved homebuyer education, and contribute at least 2% of the sales price.
• Key Rules: Applications are submitted through the City of Baytown's Citizen Self Service portal.
• Status: Active (2026 program information PDF posted; intake status not stated on page).

City of Galveston Homebuyer Assistance Program

• Sponsor: City of Galveston Grants & Housing (HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: Up to $14,500 toward down payment and closing costs (loan structure is not stated on the city page; confirm with the Grants & Housing department).
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or legal residents buying their first home inside Galveston city limits who meet HUD income and underwriting limits and complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course.
• Key Rules: The home must pass HUD Housing Quality Standards. Note that the city's posted guidelines and income limits are dated June 2025, so confirm 2026 limits with the city before applying.
• Status: Active (status not stated on page).

Houston Habitat for Humanity: Homeownership Program

• Sponsor: Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Amount & Type: Purchase of an affordable Habitat-built home in Houston, The Woodlands, or Sugar Land (the program page does not list mortgage terms).
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with demonstrated housing need, satisfactory credit, and household income between a $50,000 minimum and a maximum ranging from $58,250 (1 person) to $83,200 (4 people) to $109,850 (8 people).
• Key Rules: Requires sweat equity hours plus pre- and post-purchase housing counseling.
• Status: Active (online eligibility quiz and monthly information sessions available).

Houston Community Land Trust

• Sponsor: Houston Community Land Trust (nonprofit)
• Amount & Type: Permanently affordable homes where you own the house and lease the land from the trust for 99 years (ground lease fee of $50 per month plus a $50 per month maintenance reserve fee). Subsidy amounts and home prices are not published; confirm them directly with the land trust.
• Who Qualifies: Households with income below 80% AMI who complete an 8-hour HUD-certified education course and a CLT orientation, get a 30-year fixed mortgage from an approved lender, and keep at least $1,000 of their own funds in reserve at closing.
• Key Rules: Resale prices are capped at the initial price plus 1.25% of that price per year, which keeps homes permanently affordable. Through the Homebuyer Choice Program, buyers can also pick a home in a neighborhood of their choice for the trust to place into the land trust.
• Status: Active (online application and available homes listing live).

Dallas–Fort Worth Programs

The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has 15 local homebuyer programs spanning Dallas, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Garland, Frisco, and Denton, plus regional lender and Habitat options.

Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)

• Sponsor: City of Dallas, administered by BCL of Texas (since May 1, 2026)
• Amount & Type: Up to $60,000 in High Opportunity Areas and up to $50,000 elsewhere in the city (DHAP 10 offers up to $50,000), structured as a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable second lien with no monthly payments, forgiven pro rata over the residency term.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers at or below 80% AMI (per BCL's 2026 table effective June 1, 2026: $67,850 for 1 person, $96,900 for 4 people, $127,950 for 8 people) who work with a DHAP-approved lender, complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course from a DHAP-approved provider, contribute at least $1,000, and meet DTI limits of 35%/45%. No minimum credit score is stated.
• Key Rules: Must be inside Dallas city limits and pass an inspection and environmental review. The affordability period is 5 years for awards under $25,000, 10 years for $25,000 to $50,000, and 15 years above $50,000. A High Opportunity Area is a Dallas census tract with a poverty rate of 20% or below. The program manual lists a $342,000 sales price cap, but BCL's 2026 brochure shows a lower figure for new construction, so confirm the current cap with BCL of Texas. Partial repayment is due if you sell, lease, or transfer the home before the affordability period ends.
• Status: Open (BCL of Texas is accepting Readiness Checks and intake on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts; the city's separate Targeted Occupations track is fully expended). See our Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program guide for details.

Dallas Anti-Displacement Homebuyer Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Dallas / BCL of Texas
• Amount & Type: Up to $50,000 (based on need) as a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable second lien, forgiven annually over a 5-year affordability period. Also called DHAP 10.
• Who Qualifies: Households with income between 50% and 120% AMI who currently live in the City of Dallas and have for at least 10 years.
• Key Rules: No sales price limit (the lender sets the price by qualifying income and credit), and the appraisal must be at least the sales price. Some funding is limited to targeted areas. Administered by BCL of Texas through the same Readiness Check as DHAP.
• Status: Active (confirm current intake availability with BCL of Texas).

Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)

• Sponsor: City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services
• Amount & Type: Up to $25,000 as a 0% interest, forgivable loan. Option A puts 6% toward closing costs; Option B applies the full amount toward the down payment. Per the city's April 2026 guidelines, the affordability period is 5 years for awards of $14,999 or less and 10 years for awards over $14,999 up to $25,000 (on larger awards, $14,999 is forgiven after year 5 and the rest in equal parts over years 6 through 10).
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in the last 3 years, or qualifying displaced homeowners) at or below 80% AMI (June 2026 limit for 4 people: $88,250). A minimum 620 credit score, DTI up to 35%/45%, and a free 8-hour HUD-certified course are required.
• Key Rules: Home must be inside Fort Worth city limits (not government-owned), priced at or below $309,000 for existing homes or $329,000 for new construction (caps the guidelines date to June 2024, so confirm them with the city), and pass an inspection and environmental review. Buyers must contribute the lesser of $1,000 or 2% and have 2 months of reserves (not from gift funds).
• Status: Active (October 2026 application and June 2026 income limits posted).

Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program

• Sponsor: Tarrant County (HOME funds), administered by Housing Channel
• Amount & Type: Up to $50,000 as a 0% deferred note forgiven after a 10- to 20-year affordability period.
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have not owned a home in the last 3 years, with income at or below 80% AMI ($88,250 for a household of 4), DTI up to 35%/45%, liquid assets up to $25,000, at least $1,500 buyer investment, 2 months of reserves (not from gifts), and completion of Housing Channel's HUD-certified workshop.
• Key Rules: Property must be in Tarrant County outside the city limits of Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie, and outside the FEMA flood plain.
• Status: Active (status not stated on page; revised guidelines posted).

City of Irving Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program

• Sponsor: City of Irving Housing & Redevelopment (HUD funds)
• Amount & Type: 0% interest, deferred, forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs (the maximum dollar amount is not stated on the city page; confirm with Irving Housing & Redevelopment).
• Who Qualifies: First-time buyers (no ownership in the last 3 years) at or below 80% AMI using a city-approved lender.
• Key Rules: Applicants must watch the City of Irving orientation video and submit an acknowledgment form before applying through the online portal.
• Status: Open (online application portal active).

City of Mesquite Down Payment Assistance Program

• Sponsor: City of Mesquite (CDBG)
• Amount & Type: 50% of the required down payment and/or closing costs, up to $10,000, as a deferred forgivable loan with a 5-year owner-occupancy requirement.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (3 years) at or below 80% AMI (Dallas County FY2026 limit for 4 people: $96,900) who complete an 8-hour HUD-approved course before applying.
• Key Rules: Home must be inside Mesquite city limits, the buyer must contribute at least 1% of the sales price, and no cash back is allowed at closing. Allow at least 2 weeks for city processing.
• Status: Open (first come, first served; guidelines revised July 2026).

Grand Prairie Buying Power Program

• Sponsor: City of Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services
• Amount & Type: Grant of up to $7,500 covering up to 50% of the required down payment or reasonable closing costs, with no repayment and no residency period requirement.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (3 years) at or below 80% AMI (separate Dallas/Ellis and Tarrant/Johnson tables, effective June 1, 2026) with a maximum 42% DTI, a minimum $500 buyer investment, and HUD-approved education and counseling.
• Key Rules: Maximum purchase price of $350,000, existing homes only (new construction only through approved programs), lead check required for pre-1978 homes, and must pass both a TREC inspection and a city Housing Quality Standards inspection. Priority is given to current Grand Prairie residents.
• Status: Active (first come, first served, dependent on available grant funding).

Grand Prairie Homeownership Voucher Program

• Sponsor: City of Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services
• Amount & Type: Applies a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher toward monthly homeownership payments for up to 15 years (or up to 30 years for elderly or disabled families).
• Who Qualifies: Current Grand Prairie Housing Choice Voucher participants who are first-time homebuyers.
• Key Rules: Requires both a city inspection and an independent inspection, plus annual recertification.
• Status: Active.

Garland HFC: Mortgage Credit and Down Payment Assistance

• Sponsor: Garland Housing Finance Corporation
• Amount & Type: A Mortgage Credit Certificate worth up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits for the life of the loan plus a $10,000 down payment assistance loan (specific loan terms, income limits, and price caps are not stated on the Garland HFC page; confirm with Garland HFC).
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (the page does not state income or purchase price limits).
• Key Rules: Combines upfront down payment help with an annual federal tax credit.
• Status: Active.

Garland HFC: Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

• Sponsor: Garland Housing Finance Corporation
• Amount & Type: Down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount, which the corporation notes "may be forgivable" (confirm specific loan terms and limits with Garland HFC).
• Who Qualifies: First-time and repeat homebuyers (no first-time buyer requirement), with higher income and purchase price limits than the Garland HFC MCC option.
• Key Rules: Repeat buyers are eligible; the page does not publish the specific income or price limits.
• Status: Active.

City of Frisco Targeted Down Payment Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Frisco
• Amount & Type: Forgivable loan of up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs (specific forgiveness term is detailed in the city policy brochure).
• Who Qualifies: Households where at least one adult has been employed full-time by the City of Frisco or Frisco ISD for at least 6 months, with combined adult household income up to $150,212. Generally for first-time buyers, and requires an 8-hour HUD class plus a 1-hour counseling session.
• Key Rules: Maximum sales price of $563,500 inside the City of Frisco. Can be combined with other first-time buyer programs.
• Status: Active.

City of Denton Homebuyer Assistance Program

• Sponsor: City of Denton Community Services (HUD funds)
• Amount & Type: Secured 0% interest forgivable loan for 5 to 10 years, forgiven monthly (the exact dollar cap is in the city's 2026–2030 guidelines PDF; confirm the current maximum award with a City of Denton partnered lender).
• Who Qualifies: Low-income first-time homebuyers.
• Key Rules: Applications may be submitted only by partnered lenders on a first-come, first-served basis when funding is available.
• Status: Active (2026–2030 guidelines posted; free Homebuyer 101 class scheduled for November 5, 2026).

North Dallas Bank (NDBT) HomeStart Purchase Assistance

• Sponsor: North Dallas Bank & Trust (private lender)
• Amount & Type: Up to $10,000 in closing cost assistance OR a 1% down payment (only one option may be used per purchase). Note that the published terms on the bank's page contain a conflict: the closing-cost option describes a 3-year prepayment penalty (2%/2%/1%) if paid off or refinanced within 3 years, while also stating no repayment is due if the home is not sold or refinanced within 3 years—confirm the exact terms directly with NDBT.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (3 years) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualify for an NDBT HomeStart loan for a primary residence in Dallas, Collin, or Denton County, and complete the NDBT Homebuyer Workshop.
• Key Rules: Cannot be combined with outside down payment assistance, and no cash back is allowed.
• Status: Open as of April 2, 2026, per the bank's page (first come, first served with limited funds).

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity: Homeownership Counseling Program

• Sponsor: Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
• Amount & Type: 0% interest financing and down payment assistance may be available on Habitat homes, or buyers can purchase on the open market through a preferred lender network.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (3 years) in Dallas and Kaufman counties with income between 50% and 120% AMI (2026 limit for a household of 4: $145,320), ideal credit of 620+, no bankruptcy or delinquent accounts in the last 3 years, and at least $3,500 saved.
• Key Rules: Carries a counseling enrollment fee of $125 (single) or $200 (joint).
• Status: Active.

Trinity Habitat for Humanity (Fort Worth): Homeownership and Trinity Lending Company

• Sponsor: Trinity Habitat for Humanity / Trinity Lending Company (TLC)
• Amount & Type: Below-market-priced Habitat homes with low-interest TLC loans plus grant and loan down payment assistance (subject to availability).
• Who Qualifies: Buyers who do not currently own a home, with income between a $42,000 minimum and under 80% AMI (May 2026 limit for 4 people: $88,250), DTI up to 50%, no more than $2,000 in non-medical collections within 2 years, and 6+ months of employment and rent history.
• Key Rules: Covers Tarrant, Johnson, Parker, Wise, and Palo Pinto counties (TLC financing applies in Tarrant, Johnson, and Parker). Requires Habitat U classes and a $30 (single) or $55 (joint) questionnaire fee.
• Status: Active.

Check Your DFW Home Purchase Eligibility

San Antonio & Bexar County Programs

Buyers in San Antonio and Bexar County can look at two City of San Antonio HIP tiers, a regional nonprofit second-lien program, and San Antonio Habitat for Humanity, alongside statewide TDHCA and TSAHC assistance.

San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program: HIP 80

• Sponsor: City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD)
• Amount & Type: $1,000 to $30,000 as a 0% interest, no-monthly-payment, 100% forgivable second loan. Awards up to $15,000 are forgiven over 5 years, and awards from $15,001 to $30,000 are forgiven over 10 years.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers with household income below the city's 2026 HUD limits ($56,350 for 1 person; $80,500 for 4 people) who complete an 8-hour HUD-approved class through NHSD or NHSSA and put down at least $500 in earnest money.
• Key Rules: Must be inside San Antonio city limits, with a maximum sales price of $260,000 for existing homes and $284,000 for new construction.
• Status: Not accepting FY2026 applications, per the city's notice (archived July 2026). The adopted FY2027 budget funds down payment help, but no official source confirms HIP has reopened, so check current availability with San Antonio NHSD before relying on HIP 80. Buyers do not apply directly; your lender requests the HIP loan from NHSD. See our San Antonio homebuyer assistance guide for details.

San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program: HIP 120

• Sponsor: City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD)
• Amount & Type: $1,000 to $15,000 as a 0% interest, no-monthly-payment second loan, where 75% is forgiven over 10 years and 25% is perpetual (meaning the remaining 25% is not forgiven and must be repaid).
• Who Qualifies: Moderate-income buyers within the city's published HIP 120 limits (the city page still shows 2025 limits of $84,500 for 1 person and $120,700 for 4 people; confirm whether updated 2026 limits apply), with the same 8-hour class and $500 earnest-money rule as HIP 80.
• Key Rules: Maximum sales price of $301,700 for existing homes and $332,800 for new construction inside San Antonio city limits.
• Status: Not accepting FY2026 applications, per the same city notice; FY2027 reopening is unconfirmed, so check current availability with San Antonio NHSD.

Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio (NHSSA) Down Payment Assistance

• Sponsor: Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio (NeighborWorks nonprofit)
• Amount & Type: Up to $12,000 for down payment and closing costs as a deferred second lien (the rate and term are not stated on NHSSA's page; confirm them with NHSSA).
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 580 credit score, within NHSSA's 2026 income limits, who complete HUD-approved homebuyer education and obtain a first mortgage from a participating lender.
• Key Rules: Covers Bexar, Comal, Wilson, Medina, Atascosa, Bandera, Kendall, and Guadalupe counties. The amount is set with your lender after pre-approval.
• Status: Active.

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio (and Guadalupe Valley)

• Sponsor: Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio
• Amount & Type: 0% interest mortgage over 15 to 25 years, with monthly payments capped at 30% of household income (starting around $900 per month).
• Who Qualifies: Buyers living in Bexar County or an adjacent county who complete 300 hours of sweat equity and homebuyer education classes (income limits and credit minimums are not stated on the page).
• Key Rules: Applications are taken for Habitat's listed communities, with new 3- and 4-bedroom homes around $145,000 and offices in San Antonio and Seguin.
• Status: Open (accepting homebuyer applications for listed communities).

Austin & Central Texas Programs

Central Texas buyers in Austin, Travis County, Waco, College Station, and Bryan have seven local programs, plus the Capital Area HFC gift funds ($7,500 or $2,500) listed in the Statewide section when using a TDHCA loan in surrounding counties.

City of Austin Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

• Sponsor: City of Austin Housing Department / Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
• Amount & Type: Up to $40,000 for down payment, closing costs, and prepaids, sized to your demonstrated financial gap, as a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable second lien. DPA Option One ($1,000 to $14,999) is forgiven after 5 years, and DPA Option Two ($15,000 to $40,000) is forgiven after 10 years. The loan is due if you sell, refinance, lease, or change title before the period ends.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in the last 3 years, with exceptions for displaced or divorced applicants) at or below 80% MFI ($74,800 for 1 person; $106,800 for 4 people) who complete a homebuyer education course ($99 through Frameworks CDC or BCL) and use a participating lender, who submits the DPA application. Citizens or legal permanent residents only.
• Key Rules: Single-family home, townhome, or condo inside Austin full-purpose city limits (ETJ homes and duplexes are not eligible) with a maximum sales price of $440,000. Buyers contribute at least $500 of their own funds and keep one month of reserves, with no cash back at closing.
• Status: Active (first come, first served, subject to funding availability). See our Austin down payment assistance guide for details.

Austin Community Land Trust (ACLT)

• Sponsor: City of Austin / Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
• Amount & Type: Permanently affordable homeownership where you buy the house and lease the land for a small monthly fee.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers with gross household income below 80% Austin MFI who complete HUD-certified homebuyer education and get pre-approved with an ACLT-approved lender.
• Key Rules: Resale prices are controlled by a ground-lease formula to keep the home affordable for future buyers.
• Status: Active.

Travis County HFC: Hill Country Home DPA

• Sponsor: Travis County Housing Finance Corporation
• Amount & Type: 4%, 5%, or 6% of the first-loan principal as a 0% interest, 10-year forgivable second mortgage (net assistance after lender program fees is 4.5%, 3.5%, or 2.5%), paired with a 30-year fixed FHA, VA, USDA, or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage loan.
• Who Qualifies: First-time and repeat buyers with a minimum 640 FICO score, maximum 45% DTI, and household income up to 140% AMI ($138,460). First-time buyers must complete HUD-approved homebuyer education.
• Key Rules: Covers all of Travis County, including the City of Austin, with a maximum purchase price of $364,452. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
• Status: Active (offered through 34 participating lenders).

Austin Habitat for Humanity: Homeownership

• Sponsor: Austin Habitat for Humanity
• Amount & Type: Homes starting at $152,000 with 100% financing, below-market rates, and down payment assistance through participating lenders.
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who are first-time buyers (3 years, with exceptions), have a 620+ credit score, have lived and worked in the service area for at least 6 months, and meet Austin Habitat's income guidelines.
• Key Rules: Available in designated communities including Persimmon Point, Lockhart, Whisper Valley, and Goodnight Ranch.
• Status: Open (communities listed as Available Now).

City of Waco Down Payment Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Waco Housing & Community Development
• Amount & Type: Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs, structured as a loan (confirm specific forgiveness or repayment terms with City of Waco HCD).
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers at or below 80% AMI (May 1, 2026 HUD limit for 4 people: $72,250) who invest at least $750 of their own funds and will occupy the home as their primary residence.
• Key Rules: Applications are submitted through the City of Waco's Neighborly portal.
• Status: Active.

City of College Station Down Payment Assistance (Shared Equity)

• Sponsor: City of College Station Community Development
• Amount & Type: Gap financing of up to 30% of the sales price, capped at $80,000 on the current city web page (note that a June 1, 2025 city summary listed a $50,000 cap, so confirm the current cap with the city), structured as a 0% deferred shared-equity loan repaid with a proportional share of equity when the home is sold or no longer owner-occupied.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers at or below 80% AMI with an average credit score of 600+, 6 months on the same job, liquid assets up to $20,000, a buyer contribution of 1.5% of the sales price, a $30 application fee, and both homebuyer education and HUD-approved counseling.
• Key Rules: Home must be inside College Station city limits, priced at or below 95% of the area median, outside the flood plain, and not tenant-occupied. Approval takes about 3 weeks.
• Status: Active.

City of Bryan Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Bryan Community Development (HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: $3,500 minimum up to $24,000 ("or slightly more if appropriate") as a deferred, non-interest-bearing note with a minimum 5-year owner-occupancy requirement, repaid from net sale proceeds when the home is sold or no longer owner-occupied.
• Who Qualifies: Income-qualified buyers purchasing any eligible home (except manufactured homes) inside Bryan city limits.
• Key Rules: A city document dated June 1, 2026 indicates updated terms; confirm current income limits with Bryan Community Development.
• Status: Active.

Check Your Central Texas Home Purchase Eligibility

El Paso, West Texas & North Texas Regional Programs

Buyers in El Paso, Midland, Abilene, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls can access seven local grant and loan programs. Note that for Lubbock and Amarillo, no active city-run down payment assistance program was confirmed on official city pages for 2026, so buyers in the Panhandle and South Plains should use the statewide TDHCA, TSAHC, SETH 5 Star, VLB, and USDA programs above.

El Paso HFC: Mi Casa Homebuyer Grant

• Sponsor: City of El Paso Housing Finance Corporation
• Amount & Type: Grant of up to $20,000 toward down payment and closing costs.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers purchasing inside El Paso city limits with income up to $90,600 (1–2 people) or $105,340 (3+ people) in non-target areas, or up to $109,920 (1–2 people) or $128,240 (3+ people) in target areas. First-time buyer status is required in non-target areas only, and homebuyer counseling is required before closing.
• Key Rules: Funds are limited.
• Status: Open ("open now" with limited funds).

Welcome Home El Paso Down Payment Grant

• Sponsor: City of El Paso Housing Finance Corporation (through GECU and Guardian Mortgage)
• Amount & Type: Grant of up to 5% of the principal loan amount.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers purchasing inside El Paso city limits with household income up to $90,100 (1–2 people) or $103,615 (3+ people).
• Key Rules: Offered through GECU and Guardian Mortgage.
• Status: Active.

City of Midland Homebuyer Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Midland Community Development
• Amount & Type: Up to $15,000 toward purchasing a pre-owned or new home (confirm loan/grant structure with Midland Community Development).
• Who Qualifies: Low-income first-time homebuyers who are U.S. citizens and Midland residents, qualify for a first mortgage, complete homeownership training, and invest at least $1,000 of their own funds.
• Key Rules: The city page was last updated July 11, 2025, so confirm current terms with Midland Community Development.
• Status: Active.

City of Abilene First Time Homebuyer Program

• Sponsor: City of Abilene Neighborhood Services
• Amount & Type: Up to $7,500 (updated June 1, 2026) for down payment and eligible closing costs, paid directly to the title company at closing (confirm whether grant or forgivable loan terms apply with Abilene Neighborhood Services).
• Who Qualifies: Income-qualified buyers (per the city's 2026 MFI limits) who live, work, or attend school in Abilene and are buying their first home inside Abilene city limits.
• Key Rules: Funds are disbursed at closing.
• Status: Open ("Funding Available!" on the city's page).

City of San Angelo Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)

• Sponsor: City of San Angelo (HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: Up to $15,000 (not to exceed 15% of the home's appraised value), with a 5-year primary-residence requirement to avoid repayment. For new construction, $750 may also be available toward a city tax lot in a designated area.
• Who Qualifies: Low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers buying inside San Angelo city limits who complete homebuyer education and put down at least $500 in earnest money.
• Key Rules: Must remain your primary residence for 5 years.
• Status: Active.

San Angelo Affordable Housing Assistance Program (AHAP): New Construction

• Sponsor: San Angelo Development Corporation (coordinated by Galilee CDC)
• Amount & Type: Gap reduction or mortgage buy-down of 40% of the sales price, up to $50,000.
• Who Qualifies: Buyers purchasing new construction in a San Angelo Target Neighborhood who qualify for at least a $60,000 first mortgage.
• Key Rules: Repayment is avoided only if you keep the home as your primary residence for the full 30-year mortgage term.
• Status: Active.

City of Wichita Falls First Time Home Buyer Program

• Sponsor: City of Wichita Falls Neighborhood Resources (HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: Up to $10,000 for closing costs, down payment, and/or principal reduction (confirm structure and income limits in the city's program brochure).
• Who Qualifies: Low- to moderate-income households (see the city's brochure for full eligibility rules and income limits).
• Key Rules: Administered by Wichita Falls Neighborhood Resources.
• Status: Active.

South Texas, Rio Grande Valley & Laredo Programs

Buyers in Brownsville, Laredo, and Harlingen can pair local HOME and community development assistance with statewide TDHCA, TSAHC, and SETH 5 Star programs.

City of Brownsville Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program

• Sponsor: City of Brownsville Grants & Community Development (HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: Up to $25,000 (based on need) as a 0% interest deferred loan for down payment, closing costs, and eligible prepaids.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in the last 3 years) at or below 80% AMFI with a minimum 600 credit score and maximum 38%/48% DTI, buying a single-family home inside Brownsville city limits.
• Key Rules: Buyers pay $1,000 for initial processing, and applications may be submitted only by trained loan officers on Brownsville's participating lender list.
• Status: Active (2026 brochure posted).

City of Laredo Down Payment Assistance (HOME Program)

• Sponsor: City of Laredo Community Development
• Amount & Type: Up to $30,000 at 0% interest, forgivable after 10 consecutive years of occupying the home as your principal residence.
• Who Qualifies: Low-income first-time homebuyers at or below 80% AMFI purchasing in Laredo.
• Key Rules: The city will subordinate on a refinance that keeps the same loan structure. If a borrower falls out of compliance, the full balance becomes due (with 4% interest if not cured within 30 days).
• Status: Active.

City of Harlingen Homebuyer Assistance

• Sponsor: City of Harlingen Community Development
• Amount & Type: Down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and gap financing, possibly structured as deferred 0% loans (specific dollar caps and income criteria are not listed on the city page; confirm with Harlingen Community Development).
• Who Qualifies: Buyers building or purchasing a home inside Harlingen city limits.
• Key Rules: The city page lists no other eligibility criteria.
• Status: Open ("currently accepting applications").

East & Southeast Texas Programs

In addition to the statewide SETH 5 Star program (which is sponsored by the Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation), buyers in Tyler and Longview have three local programs.

City of Tyler First Time Homebuyer's Program

• Sponsor: City of Tyler Neighborhood Services (HUD funds)
• Amount & Type: Deferred-payment second-lien loan with no monthly payments in three tiers:
  • Existing home: Up to $14,999 (5-year lien period)
  • New construction: $15,000 to $25,000 (10-year lien period)
  • Target area: $40,000 to $50,000 (15-year lien period)
• Who Qualifies: U.S. citizens or permanent residents at or below 80% AMI (the city page still displays 2025 limits, showing $74,400 for 4 people; confirm 2026 limits with the city) who have not owned a home in the last 3 years (with an exception for legally separated single parents).
• Key Rules: Single-family home inside Tyler city limits that passes city inspection and lead-based paint standards. Full or partial repayment is due if the home is sold, leased, or rented during the lien period.
• Status: Active (subject to available funding).

City of Longview First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program

• Sponsor: City of Longview Community Development (CDBG/HOME funds)
• Amount & Type: One-time grant of up to $20,000, depending on household income.
• Who Qualifies: Moderate-income first-time buyers within Longview's FY2026 80% AMI limits ($66,950 for a household of 4) buying inside Longview city limits.
• Key Rules: You must complete a HUD-approved 8-hour online course to receive an application and apply through a qualified lender.
• Status: Active.

Longview Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program

• Sponsor: Longview Housing Authority
• Amount & Type: Applies your Housing Choice Voucher toward the monthly mortgage payment for up to 15 years (on a mortgage of 20+ years) or 10 years (on shorter mortgage terms), with no time limit for elderly or disabled families.
• Who Qualifies: Current Longview Housing Choice Voucher holders (for at least 1 year) who are first-time buyers (3 years), meet minimum income rules, have 1 year of continuous employment at 30+ hours per week (waived for elderly or disabled), have no prior assisted-mortgage default, and complete homeownership workshops.
• Key Rules: Open to existing voucher holders only.
• Status: Open.

Check Your Texas Home Purchase Eligibility

How to Combine State and Local Assistance

In several situations, you can stack more than one Texas program on the same home purchase, as long as the first-mortgage agency, master servicer, and local program rules all allow it:

• TDHCA first mortgage + TDHCA MCC: Under TDHCA's COMBO: My First Texas Home + MCC, you can combine an FHA, VA, or USDA loan and TDHCA down payment assistance with the 15% Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate ($400 combo MCC issuance fee, waived for military). However, you cannot combine an MCC with TDHCA's un-assisted (no-DPA) bond loan or with My Choice Texas Home, and TDHCA's Standalone MCC cannot be paired with any bond mortgage or outside DPA grant or loan.
• TDHCA loan + local HFC gift funds: TDHCA explicitly allows buyers to stack Capital Area HFC gift funds ($7,500 or $2,500) with MFTH, MFTH Combo, no-DPA first liens, and MCTH; Harris County HFC gift funds ($1,000) with MFTH and no-DPA first liens; and McKinney HFC gift funds ($5,000) with eligible TDHCA loans other than MCTH.
• TSAHC Non-Bond DPA or No-DPA + TSAHC MCC: You can combine TSAHC's Non-Bond DPA (grant or 3-year forgivable second lien) or No-DPA first mortgage with a 15% TSAHC MCC—and if you qualify under Homes for Texas Heroes, the $400 MCC issuance fee is waived. TSAHC Bond DPA cannot be combined with an MCC.
• TSAHC loan + city or county DPA: According to TSAHC's guidelines, other subsidy programs can be layered onto a TSAHC loan if they meet agency and Lakeview Loan Servicing guidelines. Specifically, TSAHC's No-DPA option can be combined with city or county DPA programs, and when you use TSAHC's grant (which creates no second lien), second-lien assistance from another source may be allowed in certain cases.
• Local rules that prohibit stacking: Some local programs forbid combining funds—for example, City of Houston AHDP says its benefits cannot be combined ("no double-dipping"), and North Dallas Bank's HomeStart assistance cannot be combined with outside DPA. By contrast, the City of Frisco explicitly states its $10,000 employee loan can be combined with other first-time buyer programs. Always confirm subordination and layering rules with both the local program administrator and a participating lender before you write an offer.

Next Steps to Claim Your Texas Homebuyer Assistance

Because statewide programs like TDHCA, TSAHC, and SETH 5 Star require you to apply through an approved participating lender—and because many city grants and forgivable loans are first come, first served while funding lasts—the smartest first move is to check which programs match your county, household income, and credit score before you start touring homes. Our team at Make Texas Your Home (run by Next Wave Mortgage) and Texas loan officer Phil Ganz can help you review your numbers, compare state and local options side by side, and get connected with a participating lender for your target program.

Check Your Texas Home Purchase Eligibility