Down Payment & Assistance
What is down payment assistance and how do I qualify?
The short answer
Down payment assistance (DPA) programs — run by state housing finance agencies, counties, cities, and nonprofits — help cover your down payment or closing costs through grants, forgivable loans, or low-interest second loans. Eligibility usually depends on income limits, the purchase price, buyer type (such as first-time or veteran), and completing a homebuyer education course. Terms vary widely, so read each program’s official rules.
Key points
- Offered as grants, forgivable loans, or deferred second loans.
- Common criteria: income limits, price caps, first-time buyer status.
- Many require a homebuyer education course.
- Programs are local — terms differ by state and agency.
Finding programs you qualify for
CandidCost’s Down Payment Assistance directory lets you filter public programs by state and buyer type, with links to each program’s official source so you can verify current terms directly.
Put this to work
Sources
Every claim above traces to a public government source.
- ViewT1FHA loans — buying a home
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · Government / primary · 2024