In this guide, we’ll break down how much help you can get, what you need to qualify, and how to see if you’re eligible.
Who Is Eligible for Down Payment Assistance as a First-Time Homebuyer?
A first-time homebuyer is someone who hasn’t owned a home they lived in for the past three years. This can also include people who owned a home in the past but haven’t recently.
Some programs may also include veterans or certain professionals, even if they’ve owned a home before.
General qualifications for Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs usually include:
- Income limits: You need to earn within a certain range, depending on the program.
- Credit score: Minimums vary by program and loan type; statewide government options commonly start at 620.
- Homebuyer education: You often need to take a homebuyer class.
- Primary residence: The home you buy must be your main place to live.
Each program has its own specific rules, so it’s important to check the details for the one you’re interested in.
Current Local Program Examples
- Austin: Up to $40,000; household income at or below 80% MFI; eligible home price up to $440,000.
- Dallas DHAP: Up to $60,000 in a High Opportunity Area or $50,000 in other eligible Dallas locations; sales price up to $342,000.
- Fort Worth: Up to $25,000 for eligible first-time or displaced homebuyers.
- Harris County: Up to $40,000 based on need in eligible unincorporated service areas.
- City of Houston: Up to $75,000 based on documented need for eligible first-time homebuyers.
- San Antonio HIP: Up to $30,000 when funding is open; new fiscal-year 2026 applications are not currently being accepted.
- Up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount through available grant or three-year forgivable second-lien options
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- Available statewide
Requirements
- Minimum credit score: 620 for government loans; 640 for conventional loans
- Income limits apply
- Must complete homebuyer education course
- Up to 5% down payment assistance
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- Open to public service professionals
Requirements
- Minimum credit score: 620 for government loans; 640 for conventional loans
- Must work in a qualifying profession (teachers, police, etc.)
- Income limits apply
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- 2% through 5% of the total mortgage loan amount as a forgivable or deferred repayable second lien
Requirements
- Minimum credit score: 620
- First-time homebuyer, veteran, or eligible targeted-area buyer
- Income and purchase-price limits
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- 2% through 5% assistance as a forgivable or deferred repayable second lien
- Available to new and repeat buyers
Requirements
- Minimum credit score: 620
- Must complete homebuyer education course
- Income limits apply; no maximum purchase price
Veterans Land Board Housing Assistance Program (VHAP)
- Low-interest loans for veterans
- No down payment required
- Borrow up to $726,200
Requirements
- Must be a veteran or service member
- Property must meet specific standards
Texas Bootstrap Loan Program
- 0% interest loan up to $45,000
- 30-year repayment term
Requirements
- Income limits apply
- Must provide 65% of the labor for home construction/repair
- Must live in Texas for at least six months
Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
- Tax credit up to 20% of mortgage interest paid annually
- Significant tax savings
Requirements
- Must be a first-time homebuyer
- Income and purchase price limits apply
City of Corpus Christi Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $25,000 for down payment
- Additional $10,000 for closing costs
Requirements
- Property must be within Corpus Christi city limits
- Income limits apply
Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
- Up to $40,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Income limits based on household size
- Property price must be under $614,054.70
Houston NeighborhoodLIFT DPA
- Up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
Requirements
- Income limits apply
- Must complete a homebuyer education course
San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80)
- Up to $30,000 for upfront housing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Income limits apply
- Must contribute a minimum amount towards purchase
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)
- Up to $50,000 in down payment assistance
- Forgivable deferred loan
Requirements
- Income limits apply
- Property must be within Dallas city limits
City of Houston Housing and Community Development Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $50,000 for down payment and closing costs
- No-interest, forgivable loan
Requirements
- Income limits apply
- Must live in the home for five years
Arlington Homebuyers' Assistance Program
- Up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs
- No-interest loan
Requirements
- Must contribute at least $1,000 towards purchase
- Property must be within Arlington city limits
Denton Homebuyers Assistance Program
- Up to $14,900 for down payment and closing costs
- Zero-interest, forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must live or work in Denton
- Property must be within city limits
Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $14,999 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must contribute a minimum amount towards purchase
- Property must be within Fort Worth city limits
Frisco Down Payment Assistance Program
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must work full-time for the city or school district
- Property must be within Frisco city limits
City of McKinney Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Zero-interest, forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within McKinney city limits
Mesquite Down Payment Assistance Program
- Matching funds up to $5,000 for down payment
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must contribute at least 1.75% of the sales price
- Property must be within Mesquite city limits
Plano First-Time Homebuyers Assistance and Educational Program
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must contribute at least $1,000 towards the purchase
- Property must be within Plano city limits
Wichita Falls First-Time Homebuyers Program
- Up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property cannot be in the 100-year floodplain
- Must have adequate cash reserves
Tarrant County Homebuyers' Assistance Program
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be from the agency’s inventory
- Must contribute at least $1,000 towards purchase
Bryan Down Payment Assistance Program
- Up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Bryan city limits
- Property must not be built before 1978
Killeen First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must contribute at least $500 towards purchase
- Property must be within Killeen city limits
San Marcos First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Up to $7,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must contribute at least $800 towards purchase
- Property must be within San Marcos city limits
San Marcos Homebuyer Residence Incentive Program
- $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must work for the city, school district, or Texas State University
- Property must be within San Marcos city limits
Waco City Employee Loan Assistance
- Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must be a city employee for at least 12 months
- Property must be within Waco city limits
Beaumont Down Payment Assistance Program
- Up to $14,999 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Beaumont city limits
- Must contribute at least $2,000 towards purchase
Texarkana Homebuyers Assistance Program
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Texarkana city limits
Tyler Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Tyler city limits
Baytown First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program
- Up to $4,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Baytown city limits
Galveston Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $14,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Galveston city limits
Texas City First-Time Homebuyers Program
- Up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must be a resident of Texas City for the preceding 12 months
Brazoria County First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be in unincorporated Brazoria County or participating cities
Harris County Downpayment Assistance Program
- Up to $23,800 for down payment on a home
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be in unincorporated Harris County
- Must contribute at least $350 or half of the down payment
Corpus Christi Home Closing Cost Program
- Up to $10,000 for closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Property must be within Corpus Christi city limits
Laredo Down Payment Assistance Program
- Up to $14,999 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must live in Laredo for at least six months before applying
San Antonio Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE)
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must be a full-time city employee
- Property must be in targeted areas for revitalization
San Antonio First Responders Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable loan
Requirements
- Must be a San Antonio police or fire employee
- Must contribute at least $500 towards purchase
Victoria Mortgage Assistance Program
- Up to $2,500 for closing costs and up to 50% of the down payment
- Grant
Requirements
- Property must be within Victoria city limits
- Must demonstrate financial need
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about first-time homebuyer grants and programs in Texas.
What is considered a first-time homebuyer in Texas?
A first-time homebuyer in Texas is typically someone who hasn’t owned a home as their primary residence in the past three years.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Texas?
Statewide programs can provide up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount. Local programs may use a need-based dollar maximum instead.
Are there income limits for Texas first-time homebuyer programs?
Yes, most programs have income limits based on your household size and the area where you’re buying.
Do I need to take a homebuyer education course?
Yes, most Texas first-time homebuyer programs require you to complete a homebuyer education course before qualifying for assistance.
Can I use these programs if I’ve owned a home before?
Yes, some programs are open to repeat buyers, but you may need to meet specific criteria, such as being a veteran or working in a qualifying profession.
