Homebuyer Programs – First Place, Next Step & Mortgage Credit Certificate | Missouri grant

Homebuyer Programs – First Place, Next Step & Mortgage Credit Certificate

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Missouri Housing Development CommissionMOFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Down payment and closing cost assistance is commonly provided as a cash assistance loan sized as a percentage of the first mortgage amount, and a Mortgage Credit Certificate can reduce federal income tax liability by allowing a portion of annual mortgage interest to be claimed as a tax credit.30 year fixed rate first mortgage loans with optional cash assistance second mortgages and federal mortgage credit certificate tax creditsRollingDeadline: Scope: Statewidestate

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

MHDC’s Homebuyer Programs (First Place, Next Step and the Mortgage Credit Certificate) help Missouri first-time and repeat buyers bridge the gap between savings and the cash needed to close. By combining affordable interest rates, down payment assistance and a federal tax credit option, these programs make homeownership more attainable for income-eligible buyers across the state.

Benefits

down payment assistanceclosing cost assistancetax creditaffordable mortgage

Who Can Apply

homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerrepeat homebuyerveteran

Eligible Locations

Owner-occupied primary residences in Missouri purchased by income eligible buyers who meet Missouri Housing Development Commission income and purchase price limits and work with certified participating lenders.

Eligibility

First-time and repeat homebuyers (depending on program), typically must purchase a primary residence in Missouri, meet MHDC income and purchase price limits, satisfy standard underwriting and credit requirements, and work with an MHDC-certified participating lender.

Full Description

The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) offers a suite of statewide homebuyer programs designed to reduce both the upfront and long-term cost of owning a home in Missouri. The Homebuyer Programs landing page highlights three core offerings: the First Place program, which pairs affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with down payment assistance for qualified first-time buyers and veterans; the Next Step program, which extends down payment assistance with higher income limits and access for many repeat buyers; and the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which provides a non-refundable federal tax credit that reduces the amount of federal income tax owed each year, effectively freeing up cash flow for housing expenses. Together, these options are delivered through a network of MHDC-certified lenders who help borrowers determine which combination of loan, assistance, and MCC fits their situation. While exact assistance amounts and terms are set at the program level, MHDC’s cash assistance loans have historically provided a percentage of the primary loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage, layering down payment and closing cost help on top of competitive interest rates. Borrowers must meet MHDC income and purchase price limits, occupy the property as a primary residence, and complete the application process through a participating lender. For Missouri first-time homebuyers searching for down payment assistance, or repeat buyers who still need help covering upfront costs, this statewide platform is a central entry point to explore options.

Verification & Details

Status: Open

Source: mhdc.com

Official source → mhdc.com

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

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Explore additional grants available throughout Missouri that complement this opportunity.

First HOME Down Payment Loan – St. Louis County HOME Investment Partnerships Program

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St. Louis County Department of Human Services – Community DevelopmentMOFirst-Time Homeowner0 percent interest deferred down payment and closing cost assistance loan funded with HOME program dollars

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

St. Louis County’s 1st HOME Down Payment Loan provides a zero-interest second mortgage to help first-time buyers cover down payment and closing costs. The program uses federal HOME funds to boost affordability for households that can qualify for a primary mortgage but lack enough cash to close.

Eligible for: Income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied home in St. Louis County (and designated participating areas), who meet H…

Funding: Provides a zero interest deferred second mortgage typically up to about 10000 dollars to assist with down payment and allowable closing costs, repaid when the home is sold, refinanced, or no longer owner occupied under current program rules.Deadline: Rolling / subject to funding availabilityRollingCountywidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow- to moderate-income homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance

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Down Payment Assistance – City of Florissant, Missouri

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City of FlorissantMOFirst-Time Homeowner0 percent interest deferred forgivable loan funded with HOME program dollars

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Florissant’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers a $3,500 interest-free, forgivable loan that can be applied to down payment and closing costs for a home purchase within the city. As long as the buyer lives in the home for five years, the assistance is fully forgiven, effectively turning the second mortgage into a homebuyer grant.

Eligible for: Income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied home inside Florissant city limits, who meet local income limits and prog…

Funding: Provides a zero interest deferred loan now offering up to 7000 dollars to be used toward down payment and closing costs, fully forgiven after the homeowner occupies the property for the required five year period under current guidelines.Deadline: Rolling / subject to funding availabilityRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow- to moderate-income homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceforgivable loan

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Homeownership Assistance Program – City of Columbia, Missouri

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City of Columbia – Housing Programs DivisionMOFirst-Time HomeownerZero interest 10 year forgivable second mortgage for down payment and closing costs funded with federal HOME and CDBG dollars

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Columbia’s Homeownership Assistance Program offers $10,000–$20,000 in zero-interest, forgivable loan assistance to help first-time buyers cover down payment and closing costs on a home within city limits. The program targets low- to moderate-income households and pairs HUD income limits, purchase price caps, and property inspections with required homebuyer counseling.

Eligible for: Low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers (with some exceptions such as displaced homemakers) purchasing an eligible home within Columbi…

Funding: Provides a zero interest 10 year forgivable loan up to 10000 dollars or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less, that can be used for down payment and allowable closing costs or to reduce the principal on the first mortgage. Prepaid items such as taxes and insurance are not eligible, and buyers must contribute at least 500 dollars of their own funds.Deadline: Rolling / subject to funding availabilityRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerdisplaced homemakerlow- to moderate-income homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceforgivable loan

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Down Payment Assistance Program – City of Springfield, Missouri

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City of Springfield – Planning & Development / Community DevelopmentMOFirst-Time HomeownerZero percent interest 10 year deferred second mortgage for down payment and closing costs funded with HUD resources

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

The City of Springfield Down Payment Assistance Program provides no-interest second-mortgage funds to help first-time homebuyers cover upfront down payment and closing costs. Targeted to income-eligible households, the program leverages HUD funding to make homeownership more accessible within Springfield city limits.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied home within Springfield city limits, with household income at or below roughly 80% of the…

Funding: Offers a zero percent interest deferred loan typically up to about 9000 dollars to help first-time buyers or displaced persons cover down payment and eligible closing costs, with repayment due when the home is sold, refinanced, transferred, or no longer owner occupied under current guidelines.Deadline: Rolling / subject to funding availabilityRollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerdisplaced personlow- to moderate-income homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance

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