First-time home buyer programs by state

In short

50 states covered. Each row below is a one-line summary of that state's article, which cites the statute or official page behind it.

The table

“—” means the state article does not state it. Download the data: first-time-home-buyer-programs.json (CC BY 4.0, cite Payotte with a link).

State by state, in one sentence

Alabama

Alabama offers first-time buyer help through the Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA): First Step and Step Up give below-market rates and down payment help of 4% of the sales price, up to $10,000. The City of Birmingham's Ready to Own program adds up to $10,000 for homes inside city limits.

Alaska

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) offers two first-time buyer loans, First Home Limited and First Home, with 30-year rates of 6.750% and 7.125% on October 13, 2026. In Anchorage, First Home Limited requires income of $135,100 or less for one or two people in non-targeted areas.

Arizona

Arizona has no single state down payment program: the Arizona Industrial Development Authority's Home Plus offers up to 4% in down payment and closing cost help, forgiven after 5 years, for incomes up to $155,386. Maricopa County's Home in Five Advantage offers up to 6%, and the City of Phoenix offers up to 10% of the price.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) offers the StartSmart first-time buyer mortgage, with a $500,000 price limit and a 640 minimum credit score, plus a down payment second mortgage of $1,000 to $15,000. The City of Little Rock adds a forgivable loan of up to $10,000 and a disaster-recovery program of up to $15,000.

California

In California, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) lends first-time buyers up to 3.5% of the price with an FHA loan or 3% with a conventional loan through MyHome. Its Dream For All loan (up to 20%, capped at $150,000) closed to new applications on March 16, 2026.

Colorado

In Colorado, Denver's metroDPA program offers down payment help as an interest-free second mortgage with no monthly payments, for buyers with income up to $216,000 and a credit score above 640. The article could not read the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) pages, so it gives no CHFA amounts.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) pairs a below-market first mortgage with down payment help: a Time To Own forgivable loan of up to $25,000 or a DAP loan of up to $15,000. In Hartford, HouseHartford adds up to 20% of the price, capped at $40,000.

Delaware

In Delaware, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) runs the Delaware Mortgage Program: 30-year fixed-rate loans paired with a zero-interest second mortgage of 3%, 4% or 5% of the first loan for down payment and closing costs. The minimum credit score is 620, and the New Castle County price limit is $659,385.

Florida

In Florida, Florida Housing's Hometown Heroes gives eligible workers 5% of the loan amount, from $10,000 to $35,000, and FL Assist gives up to $10,000, both as 0% deferred loans. In Miami-Dade, the county adds up to $35,000 and the City of Miami offers up to $130,002.

Georgia

In Georgia, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) runs Georgia Dream: its Standard loan gives 5% of the purchase price, up to $10,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments. In the city of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta adds up to $20,000 through ATL HomeNOW, forgiven after 10 years.

Hawaii

Hawaii's main first-time buyer program is the Hale Kamaʻāina Mortgage Program of the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), a 30-year fixed-rate loan through a participating lender. In Honolulu County the purchase price limit is $866,346 and the income limit is $154,805 for one or two people, as of June 13, 2026.

Idaho

In Idaho, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (Idaho Housing) offers down payment and closing cost help of up to 8% of the sales price, for buyers who put in as little as $500 of their own money and earn $170,000 or less. In Boise, the City's Homeownership Opportunity Program adds up to $45,000 for households earning 50% to 80% of area median income.

Illinois

In Illinois, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) offers four down payment assistance programs: Access Home (6% of the price, up to $15,000), Access Deferred (5%, up to $7,500), Access Repayable (10%, up to $10,000) and Access Forgivable (4%, up to $6,000). Chicago's HomeGrown program gives grants of up to $70,000.

Indiana

In Indiana, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) gives 5% of the home price as down payment assistance with its First Step program and 2.5% or 3.5% with Next Home, as a 0% second mortgage that is not forgivable. In Marion County (Indianapolis), the May 2026 income limits run from $110,300 to $154,420, depending on household size, program and tract.

Iowa

In Iowa, the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) offers FirstHome buyers a $2,500 grant or a second loan of up to 5% of the price with no monthly payment. From November 2, 2026 reservations, IFA moves to a 3% second mortgage (up to $10,000) and a 5% second mortgage (up to $15,000), and the grant ends.

Kansas

In Kansas, the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) offers a 0% interest loan of 15% or 20% of the purchase price, forgiven after 10 years, to first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income. It cannot be used in Johnson County or the city limits of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka or Wichita.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) offers a down payment loan of up to $12,500, repaid over 15 years, with its mortgages. In Louisville, Louisville Metro gives up to 20% of the price, capped at $30,000, as a partially forgivable second mortgage to households at or below 80% of area median income, with no first-time buyer requirement.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) runs four HomeStart programs, two of which give 4% assistance forgiven after 60 months. HomeStart Plus gives up to $55,000 plus up to $5,000 for closing costs in Orleans Parish, and the City of New Orleans adds up to $55,000 for buyers at or below 80% of area median income.

Maine

In Maine, MaineHousing sells low fixed-rate mortgages through approved lenders: the First Home Loan was 5.950% (zero points) on October 1, 2026, its Advantage option adds $5,000 toward closing and the First Generation option adds $10,000. In the Portland area, the household income limit is $139,100 for 1 to 2 people.

Maryland

In Maryland, the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP), run by the state housing department (DHCD), pairs a 30-year fixed loan with a $6,000 deferred loan or one equal to 3% to 6% of the first mortgage. Baltimore City adds incentives of $5,000 to $10,000 and, in eligible areas, $15,000 to $20,000 Buy Back the Block grants.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, MassHousing offers eligible first-time buyers down payment assistance of up to $30,000 in every city and town, paired with its mortgage. In Boston, the city's First-Time Homebuyer Program adds up to $50,000 for households under 100% of area median income.

Michigan

In Michigan, the City of Detroit's Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 for down payment, prepaids and closing costs to households below 80% of area median income ($83,850 for a household of four). The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) runs the state's homebuyer education network; its own loan amounts and limits were not readable for this article.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, Minnesota Housing's Start Up program lets a household of three or more earn up to $151,200 in the 11-county Twin Cities area and buy a home priced up to $515,200, with down payment and closing cost loans of up to $18,000. The City of Minneapolis adds a no-interest loan of $10,000 or $20,000 for lower-income buyers.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) offers down payment help of $7,000 (Smart7), $8,000 (Easy8) or $10,000 (Trusty10) as a second mortgage, and up to $25,000 through Home4All. In Hinds County, the 2026 income limit for one or two people on its mortgage revenue bond programs is $91,400 to $109,680, depending on the area.

Missouri

In Missouri, the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) runs First Place and Next Step, which pair a fixed-rate mortgage with a second loan equal to 4% of the mortgage for down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 10 years. In St. Louis, HomeSTL offered up to $50,000 but its funds were fully reserved as of August 31, 2026.

Montana

In Montana, the Montana Board of Housing offers first-time buyers below-market mortgage rates and down payment help of up to 5% of the price, capped at $15,000. In Yellowstone County, income must not exceed $128,160 for 1-2 people or $149,520 for 3 or more, and the price must not exceed $789,337 (July 24, 2026 limits).

Nebraska

In Nebraska, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Homebuyer Assistance program adds a second loan of up to 5% of the purchase price at 1% interest over 10 years. NIFA's Welcome Home household income limit is $182,800 and its one-unit purchase price limit $485,500, both effective July 13, 2026.

Nevada

In Nevada, the Nevada Housing Division's Home Is Possible programs give up to 4% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs to first-time buyers and up to 5% to buyers who are not first-time, as a no-interest second mortgage. Teachers can get $7,500 and essential workers $20,000.

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, New Hampshire Housing offers cash help of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 toward the down payment and closing costs, secured by a 0% second mortgage due on sale or refinance. In Manchester, Home First limits effective July 6, 2026 cap income at $158,100 or $184,500 depending on household size, and the price of a one-unit home at $645,000.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) offers up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost help in Essex County, as a no-interest loan forgiven after five years. First-generation buyers get $7,000 more, for $22,000.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, Housing New Mexico (the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority) runs FirstDown, a second mortgage of up to 4% of the price for down payment and closing costs, HomeNow, which gives $7,000 to lower-income buyers, and FirstDown Plus, which adds $10,000. All need a 620 minimum credit score and homebuyer counseling.

New York

In New York, SONYMA, the state mortgage agency, adds a 0% down payment loan of 3% of the price, up to $15,000, to any of its mortgages. In New York City, HPD's HomeFirst program lends up to $100,000 to first-time buyers earning up to 120% of area median income.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, the NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) offers down payment help of up to 3% of the loan amount with its NC Home Advantage Mortgage, or $15,000 for first-time buyers and veterans. Households at or below 80% of county median income can get up to $50,000, and Charlotte's House Charlotte program lists up to $80,000.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) lets a household of three or more earn up to $121,590 on its FirstHome loan and buy an existing single-family home priced up to $500,000. Its DCA and Start programs add assistance worth 3% of the first mortgage, applied to your cash requirement.

Ohio

In Ohio, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) offers down payment assistance worth 3% of the purchase price on conventional loans and 3.5% on FHA, VA and USDA loans, forgiven after seven years. In Franklin County, the income limit for one or two people is $133,800 in a target area and $111,500 elsewhere, as of July 1, 2026.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) offers down payment and closing cost help of up to 3.5% of the loan amount to buyers with a middle credit score of 640 or higher, and it must be repaid. The City of Oklahoma City offers a forgivable loan of up to $18,000, plus $5,000 for an interest rate buydown, to households at or below 80% of area median income.

Oregon

In Oregon, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) runs Flex Lending: two mortgage products, FirstHome and NextStep, with down payment assistance of 4% or 5% of the loan amount. The City of Portland adds a Down Payment Assistance Loan of up to $80,000 to $100,000.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offers a Keystone Advantage Assistance loan of up to 4% of the price or $6,000, whichever is less, and a K-FIT loan of 5% of the price or value forgiven over ten years. The City of Philadelphia's Philly First Home grant is up to $10,000 or 6% of the price, whichever is less, while funding lasts.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, RIHousing offers three down payment programs for first-time buyers: 15kDPA, a $15,000 zero-interest loan; Extra Assistance, up to $20,000; and FirstGenHomeRI, $25,000 that is forgiven after five years. Each requires a RIHousing first mortgage and a homebuyer education course.

South Carolina

In South Carolina, SC Housing offers first-time buyers a $10,000 down payment loan that is fully forgiven after 15 years in the home. Its Palmetto Home Advantage program gives 0%, 3% or 4% of the loan amount and has no first-time requirement; both need a 640 credit score and a participating lender.

South Dakota

In South Dakota, South Dakota Housing (SD Housing) offers first-time buyers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for homes priced at $410,000 or less, with income limits in Minnehaha County of $118,700 (one or two people) or $136,505 (three or more). A 0% second mortgage can add 3% or 5% of the loan, and a tax credit worth up to $2,000 a year is available.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) offers the Great Choice Home Loan with optional Great Choice Plus down payment help of up to $15,000, or up to $25,000 for newly built homes. In Davidson County, THDA's limits effective August 1, 2026 are a $500,000 purchase price and $139,320 of household income for one or two people ($162,540 for three or more).

Texas

In Texas, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) both give 2% to 5% of the loan amount for the down payment, as a grant or a 0% loan often forgiven after 3 years. First-time buyers can add a 15% mortgage tax credit, and the City of Dallas adds up to $60,000.

Utah

Utah's state housing finance agency is Utah Housing Corporation, which HUD's Utah page lists first among the places to ask about first-time and low-income homebuyer assistance (phone (801) 902-8200). The source article gives no program amounts or income limits, because the Utah Housing Corporation website could not be read.

Vermont

In Vermont, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) offers an interest-rate program (MOVE, 6.500% on October 13, 2026), a down payment loan of up to $10,000 (ASSIST) and a $15,000 grant for first-generation buyers. In Chittenden County, MOVE caps income at $120,000 for one or two people and the purchase price at $450,000.

Virginia

In Virginia, Virginia Housing offers first-time buyers a Down Payment Assistance Grant of up to 2% to 2.5% of the price, never repaid. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area the grants require income of $148,000 or less for two people or fewer and a price of $800,000 or less, and Arlington County adds a 0% loan of up to $112,500 per its fact sheet.

Washington

In Washington, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) pairs its home loans with down payment assistance of 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan amount at 0% interest, for households earning up to $215,000, and first-time status is not required. The City of Seattle adds up to $76,000 per household for buyers at or below its income limits; WSHFC offers no mortgage credit certificate.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) lends to first-time buyers at a listed rate of 5.790% and offers up to $12,000 in down payment and closing cost help through a 15-year loan at 2%. In Kanawha County, where Charleston sits, WVHDF's limits are a $300,000 house price and $60,160 of income (loans locked on or after January 2, 2026).

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) pairs a first mortgage with a second loan of up to 6% of the price (Easy Close). Its $7,500 Capital Access loan has been paused since September 30, 2026, and in Milwaukee County first-time buyers must earn at most $110,700 (1-2 people) or $127,305 (3 or more).

Wyoming

In Wyoming, the Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) offers a first-time buyer loan with a 2026 purchase price limit of $566,354 in Laramie County and household income limits of $104,400 (1 to 2 people) or $120,060 (3 or more). Its down payment assistance loan reaches $15,000, with a 620 minimum credit score.