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Find every first-time home buyer grant & down payment assistance program in the U.S.

$0 – $100,000+ in free money. Updated daily across all 50 states + DC. Compare programs from HUD-approved agencies, lenders, cities, and state housing authorities in one place.

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Homebuyer Assistance – NJ 2-1-1 Partnership Resource Listing

Resource

NJ 2‑1‑1 PartnershipNJFirst-Time HomeownerStatewide online resource directory maintained by the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership that connects prospective homebuyers with local down payment, closing cost, and other homeownership assistance programs rather than providing direct grant funding itself.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A state-wide resource listing via NJ 2-1-1 connecting homebuyers to local down payment & closing cost assistance programs in New Jersey.

Eligible for: First-time or income-eligible homebuyers in New Jersey directed to local assistance resources via NJ 2-1-1 directory.

Funding: This listing does not provide a single standardized award; instead it catalogs multiple New Jersey down payment and closing cost assistance programs whose grant or loan amounts, terms, and availability vary by administering agency and location.Deadline: Varies by programVariesStatewide (New Jersey)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerNew Jersey homebuyerhousing counselorservice providerresource hubprogram directorydown payment assistance referralsclosing cost assistance referralsstatewide information service

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1st-Home Illinois Down Payment Grant Program

Open

Federal Housing AuthorityILFirst-Time HomeownerState-supported down payment grant program, described by FHA.com, that provides a forgivable or non-repayable grant when paired with an eligible first mortgage for first-time buyers in Illinois.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A standout grant program offering up to $10,000 to first-time homebuyers in Illinois toward down payment and closing costs, lowering upfront purchase barriers and supporting homeownership among eligible households.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers in Illinois (typically no ownership last 3 years), meet income & purchase price limits, purchasing eligible home in IL…

Funding: Offers up to $10,000 in assistance that can be used toward down payment and closing costs for eligible first-time homebuyers, with grant structure and forgiveness terms determined by the administering state housing agency and participating lenders.Deadline: Rolling / while funds lastRollingStatewide (Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantstatewide program

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Building Neighborhoods & Affordable Homes Program – City of Chicago

Open

City of Chicago Dept. of HousingILFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Chicago purchase-price assistance program that provides a large subsidy applied directly to the purchase price of newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated homes in targeted neighborhoods for income-eligible first-time buyers.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Significant purchase-price assistance targeted at first-time buyers in Chicago to lower barriers in expensive markets and promote new construction/infills.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers, income-eligible, purchasing newly constructed or rehabbed home in city limits, complete required trainings.

Funding: Offers up to 100,000 dollars in purchase-price assistance that reduces the upfront cost and mortgage amount for qualifying buyers, with exact subsidy and long-term affordability terms determined by City of Chicago program guidelines.Deadline: Rolling / subject to availabilityRollingCity (Chicago, Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerChicago homebuyerpurchase price assistancedown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancecity programnew constructionrehabbed homeslarge assistance amount

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Purchase Assistance Grants – NHS Chicago

Open

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) ChicagoILFirst-Time HomeownerNonprofit-administered purchase assistance grant program that layers forgivable down payment and closing cost support on top of a first mortgage for buyers in designated Chicago neighborhoods, especially Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) areas.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Targeted grant assistance for down payment/closing costs for homebuyers in specific Chicago neighborhoods, intended to support neighborhood revitalization and reduce purchase cost barriers.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers or eligible households buying in certain Chicago “MMRP” areas, income limits up to 120% AMI, complete homebuyer educat…

Funding: Provides up to 30,000 dollars in purchase assistance grants that can be used toward down payment and closing costs, with funds generally forgivable when buyers comply with occupancy and program requirements in the targeted neighborhoods.Deadline: Rolling / while funds lastRollingCity (Chicago, Illinois – designated Micro Market Recovery Program areas)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerChicago homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantforgivable assistanceneighborhood revitalizationnonprofit program

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Down Payment Assistance Program – Cook County

Closed

Cook County Bureau of Economic DevelopmentILFirst-Time HomeownerCounty-run forgivable second-mortgage program that provides down payment, closing cost, and mortgage rate buydown assistance to income-eligible homebuyers purchasing 1–2 unit properties in Cook County.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Offers substantial down payment or closing cost support to homebuyers in Cook County to help bridge upfront purchase cost barriers.

Eligible for: Eligible homebuyers for 1-2 unit property in Cook County, credit score ≥ 620, DTI ≤ 50%, income ≤ 120% AMI unless purchasing in a Targeted A…

Funding: Provides up to 5 percent of the sale price, capped at 25,000 dollars, in forgivable second-loan assistance that can be used toward down payment, closing costs, or interest rate buydowns, with forgiveness tied to compliance with occupancy and program terms while funds are available.Deadline: Rolling / until funds exhausted; reopened June 2025 but currently out of funds.RollingCounty (Cook County, Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerCook County homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancerate buydownforgivable second mortgagecounty programhomebuyer education required

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IHDA Mortgage & Down Payment Assistance Programs

Open

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)ILFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency mortgage platform that offers 30-year fixed-rate IHDA mortgages bundled with several tiers of down payment and closing cost assistance, structured as forgivable, deferred, or repayable second loans.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Comprehensive homebuyer support program offering low-interest 30-year fixed mortgages paired with down-payment/closing-cost assistance of up to $10,000 via forgivable, deferred, or repayable structures—making homeownership more accessible in Illinois.

Eligible for: Rolling / funds available

Funding: Provides multiple assistance options that can offer up to 4 percent of the purchase price (around 6,000 dollars) as a forgivable loan, up to 5 percent (around 7,500 dollars) as a 0 percent deferred loan, or up to 10 percent (around 10,000 dollars) as an interest-free repayable loan amortized over 10 years, all to help cover down payment and closing costs.RollingStatewide (Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerrepeat homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancesecond mortgageforgivable loandeferred loanrepayable loanstate housing finance agency program

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Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)

Open

City of Rochester Neighborhood & Business Development DepartmentNYFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Rochester grant program that provides upfront assistance for down payment and closing costs to first-time homebuyers through a conditional grant tied to long-term owner-occupancy.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Local grant program aimed at helping first-time homebuyers in the City of Rochester cover upfront purchase costs to increase access to homeownership.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyer, income eligibility, purchasing 1–4 family home in City of Rochester, must attend pre- and post-purchase training and c…

Funding: Provides a grant of up to about 6,000 to 8,000 dollars, depending on funding cycle and program terms, that can be applied toward down payment and closing costs for eligible first-time buyers in Rochester.Deadline: Rolling / funds availabilityRollingCity (Rochester, New York)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerNew York homebuyerRochester homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantcity programfirst-time buyerhomebuyer education required

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First-Time Homebuyer & Down Payment Assistance Programs

Open

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance AgencyNJFirst-Time HomeownerStatewide New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) program that pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with an interest-free, five-year forgivable down payment assistance second loan and an optional First Generation assistance layer for eligible buyers.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

The NJHMFA provides low-interest 30-year fixed mortgage loans paired with down payment or closing cost assistance for qualified first-time buyers across New Jersey.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in past 3 years) in New Jersey, must use approved NJHMFA first mortgage and meet income & purchase-price…

Funding: Provides an interest-free, five-year forgivable down payment assistance loan of up to 15,000 dollars (amount varies by county) that can be used toward down payment or closing costs, with the potential to layer roughly 7,000 dollars in additional First Generation assistance for qualifying buyers whose parents or guardians never owned a home, bringing combined support to about 22,000 dollars.Deadline: Rolling / subject to funds and approved lender participation. RollingStatewide (New Jersey)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerNew Jersey homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceforgivable loansecond mortgagestate programfirst generation bonuslow-interest mortgage

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Down Payment Assistance Program – Town of Normal

Open

Town of Normal Housing & Community DevelopmentILFirst-Time HomeownerLocal down payment assistance program that offers a modest zero-interest, forgivable second loan to help income-eligible buyers cover down payment and closing costs on owner-occupied homes in the Town of Normal.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Local program aimed at increasing homeownership by helping qualified homebuyers with upfront costs in the Town of Normal through modest assistance and favorable loan terms.

Eligible for: Income at or below 80% AMI, home must be owner-occupied single-family within the Town of Normal, minimum contribution $1,000 remains in bank…

Funding: Provides up to 5,000 dollars in assistance as a 0 percent interest loan that is forgiven over a five-year period when the buyer continues to occupy the home and complies with program requirements, with funds usable toward both down payment and closing costs.Deadline: Rolling / until funds exhausted. RollingTown (Normal, Illinois)homebuyerlow-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerNormal homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceforgivable loan0 percent interesttown program

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Purchase Assistance Programs – Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)

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Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)PAFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency purchase assistance delivered as small grants and zero interest or forgivable second mortgages that must be paired with a PHFA first mortgage.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Statewide down payment and closing cost assistance and low-interest mortgage programs for Pennsylvania homebuyers.

Eligible for: Buyers using PHFA mortgage programs, meet credit/income/purchase-price limits; some programs require first-time status or targeted area purc…

Funding: Describes several assistance options including a PHFA grant of up to about 500 dollars for Own Up participants, Keystone Advantage Assistance loans up to 4 percent of the purchase price or 6000 dollars, and K FIT assistance of up to 5 percent of the purchase price that may be forgiven over time, with specific benefit level depending on the chosen program and loan type.Deadline: Rolling / availability varies by program RollingStatewide (Pennsylvania)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerrepeat homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerPennsylvania homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantsecond mortgageforgivable loanstate housing finance agencyhomebuyer education required

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Buy Your First Home – City of Philadelphia (“Philly First Home”)

Open

Philadelphia Division of Housing & Community Development (DHCD)PAFirst-Time HomeownerCity funded grant that provides up front assistance for down payment and closing costs to eligible first time homebuyers purchasing in Philadelphia.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Municipal program offering meaningful aid to first-time buyers in Philadelphia to reduce upfront costs and support stable homeownership.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers (no ownership in last 3 years), purchase in Philadelphia (single-family or duplex), complete city-funded homeownership…

Funding: Provides grant assistance up to 10000 dollars or up to 6 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less, applied toward down payment and closing costs to reduce the cash needed to buy a home in Philadelphia.Deadline: Rolling / until funds exhaustedRollingCity (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerPhiladelphia homebuyerPennsylvania homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantcity programfirst-time buyer programhomebuyer education required

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Down Payment Assistance Program (City of College Station)

Open

City of College Station Housing Assistance ProgramTXFirst-Time HomeownerCity administered shared equity deferred loan that provides gap financing for low income buyers by covering a portion of the purchase price, to be repaid in part if the home is sold or refinanced.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

City of College Station offers gap financing via a shared-equity deferred loan up to 30% of the sales price (capped $80k) to assist homebuyers with down payment within city limits. (City of College Station)

Eligible for: Qualified homebuyers meeting income ≤ 80% AMI, credit score ≥ 600, purchasing within City of College Station limits; must complete HUD-appro…

Funding: Provides down payment and gap financing up to 30 percent of the sales price, capped at 80000 dollars, structured as a shared equity deferred loan with no monthly payments while the buyer occupies the home as a primary residence.Deadline: Rolling / apply prior to purchase contract. (City of College Station)RollingCity (College Station, Texas)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerCollege Station homebuyerTexas homebuyerdown payment assistancegap financingshared equity loandeferred payment loancity programlow-income homebuyer supporthomebuyer education required

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