One-Stop Shop for Homebuyer Grants: Easily Filter and Save
Justin Reynolds
Key Takeaways
- Discover national, state, and local homebuyer grants in one place.
- Filter results based on your unique situation (e.g., profession, income, location).
- Save your search results for future reference.
Welcome to our new homebuyer grants search hub! Here, you can quickly discover national, state, and local assistance programs that help with down payments and more. Use the filters below to find the grants that best suit your unique situation.
State Programs
Every state runs its own down payment assistance programs through its Housing Finance Agency, typically income-limited and often paired with required homebuyer education. Programs and funding levels change yearly -- use the tool below to see current state options.
Local Programs
Many counties and cities layer their own additional assistance on top of state programs, usually with narrower eligibility tied to buying within that specific city or county. See our County and City Homebuyer Assistance Hub for real researched examples.
Special Eligibility Paths
- Teachers
- Law Enforcement
- Firefighters
- Healthcare Workers
- Veterans
- Public Housing Residents
- Rural Buyers
- Native American Buyers
Teachers
Several states and cities run teacher-specific "Hometown Heroes"-style programs, often paired with HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door for eligible HUD-owned homes. Terms vary by state and year.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers are commonly eligible for Good Neighbor Next Door (a 50% discount on eligible HUD-owned homes) in addition to standard state and local DPA.
Firefighters
Firefighters and EMS personnel are also commonly eligible for Good Neighbor Next Door and state Hometown Heroes-style programs.
Healthcare Workers
Nurses and other healthcare professionals are frequently eligible for the same Hometown Heroes-style state programs, and sometimes for employer-sponsored homebuying benefits on top of state DPA.
Veterans
VA loans already offer 0% down, so DPA for veterans is typically applied to closing costs. Many states also run veteran-specific DPA programs with relaxed first-time-buyer requirements.
Public Housing Residents
HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency and Housing Choice Voucher homeownership option can let some public housing residents apply their voucher toward a mortgage instead of rent -- check with your local Public Housing Authority for participation.
Rural Buyers
USDA Section 502 loans offer 0% down for eligible rural and suburban properties and income-qualified buyers -- check USDA's property eligibility map, since "rural" covers many suburban areas too.
Native American Buyers
HUD's Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program offers low down payment financing for Native American and Alaska Native buyers on and off tribal trust land.
How Matching Works
Our Grant Finder tool combines your ZIP code, income, and buyer status to surface federal, state, county, and city programs you may qualify for in one place.
Please note that program eligibility, amounts, and terms are subject to change. Always verify information with the grant owner before applying.
Can I apply for homebuyer grants if I'm not a first-time buyer?
Answer: Yes, some programs offer assistance to repeat buyers as well. However, eligibility criteria may vary for each program, so it is essential to check the specific requirements before applying.
What counts towards household income for homebuyer grant applications?
Answer: Household income typically includes the total earnings of all family members living in the household. This can include salaries, wages, self-employment income, child support, alimony, and any other regular sources of income.
Do I need to repay homebuyer grants?
Answer: It depends on the program you are applying for. Some grants are designed as gifts that do not require repayment, while others may have repayment terms attached. Make sure to review each program's details carefully before applying.
Why didn't I find any programs that match my search criteria?
Answer: There could be several reasons for this, including: a) your income or purchase price falls outside the eligible range for available programs; b) you live in an area where no relevant programs are currently offered; c) you do not meet the specific eligibility criteria (such as being a veteran, teacher, or public housing resident); d) the program data may not be up-to-date.
How do city and county programs differ from each other?
Answer: City and county programs often target specific geographical areas within a state and may have unique eligibility requirements or incentives tailored to those locations. While both types of programs aim to assist homebuyers, they can vary significantly in terms of available resources, application processes, and program details.
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