Clayton County Down Payment Assistance Program

Open

Clayton County Community Development / Clayton GrantsGAFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Provides up to 10,000 dollars in 0 percent interest deferred down payment and closing cost assistance for most eligible buyers and up to 15,000 dollars for veterans, Clayton County employees, and designated Georgia frontline workers, structured as a soft second mortgage that is forgiven after 5 to 10 years of continuous owner occupancy.Clayton County HUD funded down payment assistance provided as a 0 percent interest deferred soft second mortgage that covers part of the buyer's down payment and closing costs and is forgiven after a required owner occupancy period.RollingDeadline: Scope: Localstate

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

County-level down payment assistance program providing up to $10,000–$15,000 in interest-free, forgivable “soft second” financing to help income-eligible first-time buyers purchase homes in Clayton County.

Benefits

down payment assistanceclosing cost assistance0% interestforgivable loansoft second mortgagecounty programfrontline worker incentive

Who Can Apply

homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyerveteran homebuyerClayton County employeefrontline worker

Eligible Locations

First time homebuyers, or those who have not owned a home in the last three years, purchasing an owner occupied home in Clayton County with a maximum purchase price of 270,000 dollars, who meet HUD income limits at or below 80 percent of area median income, work with a HUD certified lender, complete an 8 hour HUD approved homebuyer education course, contribute at least 1,000 dollars of their own funds, and agree to occupy the home for 5 to 10 years depending on the assistance amount.

Eligibility

First-time homebuyers (or those who have not owned a home in the last 3 years) purchasing an owner-occupied home in Clayton County with a maximum purchase price of $270,000; must meet HUD income limits at or below 80% AMI, work with a HUD-certified lender, complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course, contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, and agree to occupy the home for 5–10 years depending on assistance amount.

Full Description

Clayton County’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers qualified first-time buyers a 0% interest, deferred second loan that covers a significant portion of their down payment and closing costs. Eligible buyers who meet HUD income limits and other underwriting criteria can receive up to $10,000, while veterans, county employees, and designated frontline workers can receive up to $15,000, all tied to an owner-occupancy requirement and a maximum purchase price of $270,000. The assistance is structured as a soft second mortgage that carries no monthly payment and is fully forgiven after 5 or 10 years of continuous occupancy, making it a strong fit for buyers who can afford a mortgage but lack upfront cash. (Clayton Grants)

Verification & Details

Status: Open

Source: claytoncountyga.gov

Official source → claytoncountyga.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

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