Texas’ 27+ First time homeowners have many down payment assistance programs available to them. There are Federal, statewide, local programs at the counties level and major cities also have their own.
You can find the list and resources below.
Statewide Down Payment Assistance
My First Texas Home Program
- Down Payment Assistance: Up to 5% of the loan amount. This can be a grant or a 30-year, low-interest loan.
- Eligibility: Available to first-time homebuyers and those who have not owned a home in the last three years.
- Details: My First Texas Home Program
Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
- Down Payment Assistance: Up to 5% of the loan amount, similar to the My First Texas Home Program.
- Eligibility: Available to veterans, active-duty military, and certain public service workers, such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers.
- Details: Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program
- This program does not provide direct down payment assistance but offers a tax credit.
- Tax Credit: A tax credit of 20% to 40% of the mortgage interest paid on the home loan, reducing the amount of federal tax owed.
- Details: Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
Federal Programs with Low Down Payment
The federal programs are not traditional down payment assistance but since those mortgages require low down payment it’s important to keep them in mind if you have little funds for a down-payment. They’re available across Texas.
FHA Loans (Federal Housing Administration):
- – FHA loans allow borrowers to make a down payment as low as 3.5%.
- – Borrowers can use gift funds or assistance from local or state programs for the down payment.
- More info.
VA Loans (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs):
- – Available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and some surviving spouses.
- – Requires no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
- More info
USDA Loans (U.S. Department of Agriculture):
- – For rural and some suburban homebuyers only.
- – Offers 100% financing with no down payment required, and closing costs can be rolled into the loan.
- More info
Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible:
- – Conventional loan programs that allow down payments as low as 3%.
- – Assistance can be combined with local or state programs.
- Fannie Mae info and Feddie Mac info.
Texas Counties Down Payment Assistance Programs
Almost each county in the state has its assistance program for first time homeowners. If you don’t see your county listed below, go look direct on their site under their home buyers or new homeowners page.
Harris County
Harris County Downpayment Assistance Program: Provides financial assistance towards the purchase of a home in Harris County in the form of a forgivable second lien up to $23,800
Dallas County
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $40,000 for down payment and closing costs to qualified first-time homebuyers.
Tarrant County
Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program: Provides deferred forgivable loans up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
Bexar County
San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $12,000 in assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Travis County
Austin Down Payment Loan Assistance: The program covers down payment and closing costs, including pre-paid expenses associated with home buying. Homebuyers may qualify for up to $40,000 in assistance.
Collin County
Plano Homebuyer Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $55,000 for down payment and closing costs to eligible homebuyers.
Denton County
Denton County Homebuyer Assistance Program: Provides deferred forgivable loans up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Hidalgo County
McAllen First-Time Homebuyer Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
El Paso County
El Paso First Time Homebuyer Program: Provides deferred forgivable loans up to $35,000 for down payment and closing costs.
Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County Down Payment Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans for down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Home Fund Program: Provides deferred forgivable loans up to $14,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Williamson County
Georgetown Homebuyer Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs.
Cameron County
Brownsville Down Payment Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
Brazoria County
Brazoria County Homebuyer Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans for down payment assistance to eligible homebuyers.
Nueces County
Corpus Christi Homebuyer Assistance Program: Provides deferred forgivable loans up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Galveston County
Galveston County Down Payment Assistance Program: Offers deferred forgivable loans up to $14,500 for down payment and closing costs.
Bell County
Killeen First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP): Provides up to $7,500 in assistance for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
Lubbock County
Lubbock Housing Finance Corporation Programs: Offers various programs promoting economic development and home ownership opportunities for individuals and families in Lubbock and surrounding counties.
Jefferson County
Beaumont Down Payment Assistance Program: Provides up to $14,999 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers within Beaumont city limits.
McLennan County
Waco Down Payment Assistance Program: Offers up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing homes within Waco city limits.
If you don’t see your county listed below, go look direct on their site under their home buyers or new homeowners page.