How We Can Help – Homeownership Loans | Delaware grant

How We Can Help – Homeownership Loans

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Delaware State Housing Authority – HomeownershipDEFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Down payment and closing cost assistance via 2nd-loan: 3% (First State) or 5% (Diamond in the Rough) of first mortgage, or fixed $12,000 (Home Sweet Home) or $10,000 (Delaware Diamonds) depending on program.Deferred loanScope: Statewidestate

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Summary

DSHA’s “How We Can Help” page is the central hub for Delaware first-time homebuyer assistance, outlining Welcome Home and Home Again mortgage programs plus layered down payment help like First State Home Loan and Diamond in the Rough.

Benefits

Down payment assistanceClosing cost assistanceAffordable first mortgage

Who Can Apply

Individual

Eligible Locations

Homebuyers purchasing in Delaware; income and area/price limits vary by county and targeted area designation.

Eligibility

Delaware first-time and repeat homebuyers using DSHA’s Welcome Home or Home Again mortgage programs who meet county income and purchase-price limits, have at least a 620 credit score, and purchase an owner-occupied 1-unit home within Delaware.

Full Description

This page explains that Delaware State Housing Authority offers 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at or below market rates for both first-time and repeat buyers through standard FHA, VA, USDA and conventional products. It highlights the Welcome Home first-time homebuyer program, which requires borrowers not to have owned a primary residence in the previous three years, to meet income and purchase-price caps, and to have at least a 620 credit score, with counseling required for scores under 660. For those over the Welcome Home income limits, the Home Again program serves first-time and repeat buyers with similar credit standards and higher income caps. Within these mortgage programs, DSHA offers down payment assistance options like the First State Home Loan, which provides 3% of the final loan amount as deferred assistance repayable upon sale, refinance or move-out, and Diamond in the Rough, which provides 5% assistance for qualified FHA 203(k) Limited borrowers purchasing homes that need repairs. Together these products allow Delaware buyers to reduce their out-of-pocket down payment and closing costs while locking in a competitive fixed interest rate.

Verification & Details

Complexity: Moderate

Confidence: 85%

Source: kissyourlandlordgoodbye.com

Based on DSHA program summaries accessed via Help-For-Homebuyers site; exact terms depend on selected sub-program and lender.

Official source → kissyourlandlordgoodbye.com

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 1, 2025

Recommended Resource

First-Time Homebuyer Starter Pack (2025 Edition)

A complete first-time homebuyer toolkit: 9 checklists, timelines, grant guidance, worksheets + editable Excel/Google Sheet budget & affordability calculator.

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View digital guide Buy now

More statewide programs

Explore additional grants available throughout Delaware that complement this opportunity.

Loan Products – DSHA Homeownership Loan Program

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Delaware State Housing Authority – HomeownershipDEFirst-Time Homeowner

Updated: Nov 29, 2025

The DSHA Loan Products page details the specific Smart Start, First State Home Loan and Diamond in the Rough offerings, showing how Delaware first-time and repeat buyers can pair a DSHA mortgage with 3%–5% down payment and closing-cost assistance.

Eligible for: Low- and moderate-income Delaware homebuyers who qualify for DSHA Welcome Home or Home Again FHA, VA, USDA or conventional 30-year fixed-rat…

View details →

First Start Homebuyer Program

Open

City of Wilmington – Department of Real Estate and HousingDEFirst-Time HomeownerDeferred loan

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Wilmington’s First Start Homebuyer Program provides up to $15,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time buyers purchasing owner-occupied homes inside city limits.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers, displaced homemakers and single parents purchasing a single-family home within the City of Wilmington who have not ow…

Funding: Up to $15,000 or 6% of purchase price (whichever is less) for down payment/closing costs; requires $1,000 buyer contribution.CityIndividualDown payment assistanceClosing cost assistance

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Down Payment & Settlement Assistance Programs

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New Castle County – Community Development & HousingDEFirst-Time HomeownerDeferred loan

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

New Castle County’s Down Payment & Settlement Assistance (DPS) Program offers income-qualified buyers up to $10,000 in deferred, low-cost loan funds to help with down payment and closing costs when buying a home in the county.

Eligible for: Low- and moderate-income households purchasing a home in New Castle County who need help covering customary down payment and settlement char…

Funding: Up to $10,000 to assist with down payment and settlement costsCountyIndividualDown payment assistanceClosing/settlement cost assistance

View details →

City of Dover – Dover First Start Homeownership Downpayment and Settlement Assistance Program

Rolling

City of Dover – Community Development OfficeDEFirst-Time HomeownerDeferred loan

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

The Dover First Start Homeownership Assistance Program offers low- and moderate-income first-time buyers a 0% interest second-mortgage loan of up to $20,000 for down payment and settlement charges on homes within the City of Dover.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal-residence home within Dover city limits who have at least $1,000 in their own cash (excluding g…

Funding: Down payment and/or settlement cost assistance per Dover Homeownership Assistance Program — amount varies per program guidelines.CityIndividualDown payment assistanceClosing/settlement cost assistance

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