First-Time Home Buyer Grants for 2026: 8 Grant Programs

Many states and some local governments offer true first-time home buyer grants that never need to be repaid.

• Grant amounts can range from a few thousand dollars to roughly 3%–5% of the home’s purchase price, depending on where you buy.
• Some programs also offer forgivable “silent” second mortgages with no payments and 0% interest that are wiped out after a set time, often 5–10 years.
• If you move, sell, or refinance before that period ends, you may have to repay some or all of the assistance.

Other DPAs offer a low-interest second mortgage rather than grants for first-time buyers.

• You borrow a set amount for your down payment and repay it in fixed installments, often over 10 years, alongside your primary mortgage.
• These loans usually carry favorable terms, and program rules require that your overall mortgage payments stay within an affordable range.

• Assistance available as a grant to buy a house or a three-year forgivable loan.
• Up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount.
• Can be used as down payment and/or closing cost assistance.
• Works with conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
• Offers grants nationwide.
• Higher income limits than many local home buyer programs.

• Income must fall within NHF limits.
• Minimum 640 credit score.
• Maximum 45% debt-to-income ratio.
• First-time buyer status not required.
• Must use a participating lender.

• Offers either a three-year silent forgivable loan or a repayable installment loan.
• Forgiveness resets with late payments, but can still be met anytime within the 30-year mortgage term.
• Assistance totaling 3.5% or 5% of the home’s purchase price.
• Can fully cover the down payment requirement for a conventional loan or an FHA loan.
• Forgivable after 36 consecutive on-time payments on the first mortgage.

• Minimum 600 credit score.
• Income at or below 115% of the area median income (AMI).
• Debt-to-income ratio of 45% or lower.
• Must use a Chenoa Fund–approved lender.

• Can finance up to 105% CLTV when paired with an eligible Fannie Mae first mortgage (such as HomeReady).
• Funds may cover down payment, closing costs, renovations (including energy upgrades), and permanent rate buydowns.
• Structured as subordinate financing with flexible repayment options, including deferred or forgivable terms, depending on the provider.
• Available through approved state, local, nonprofit, employer, and tribal partnerships.
• Used with purchase or limited cash-out refinance loans on 1–4 unit primary residences, including some manufactured homes.

• Must pair Community Seconds with an eligible Fannie Mae first mortgage.
• Subordinate financing must come from an approved provider (not the seller or other interested party) and cannot be funded via first-mortgage premium pricing.
• Property must be a primary residence (1–4 units); additional borrower contribution rules can apply for 2–4 unit homes.
• Borrowers must meet first-mortgage credit, income, and DTI standards, plus any extra income or credit limits set by the Community Seconds provider.
• If the first mortgage is an ARM, it must have an initial fixed period of at least five years.

• Works with eligible Freddie Mac first mortgages, including Home Possible.
• Allows total financing up to 105% TLTV for certain 1-unit primary residences.
• Funds may cover down payment, closing costs, and eligible renovations.
• Subordinate financing may be repayable or forgivable, depending on the provider.
• Interest rate on the Affordable Seconds loan may be up to 2 points higher than the first-lien mortgage.
• Can combine multiple subordinate loans within TLTV limits.
• Assistance must create a subordinate lien (non-lien support is treated as a gift/grant in Freddie’s systems).

• Must pair with an eligible purchase or refinance loan or first mortgage.
• Subordinate financing must come from an approved provider (e.g., government agency, nonprofit, credit union, CDFI, employer, or tribe).
• Borrowers must meet the credit, income, and DTI standards of the first mortgage program and the provider’s rules.
• Property must be a primary residence (1–4 units).
• ARM first mortgages must have an initial fixed period of at least five years.

• 50% discount off the list price of eligible HUD-owned properties in designated revitalization areas.
• Buyer signs a second mortgage and note for the discount amount; no interest or payments are required on the second mortgage if the 36-month residency commitment is fulfilled.
• The pool of eligible homes is limited and frequently listed exclusively to GNND participants, sometimes via lottery.
• Program properties often require financing of the remaining purchase price and closing costs after the discount.

• Must be a full-time law enforcement officer, pre-K–12 teacher, firefighter, or emergency medical technician serving the locality where the property is located.
• Must purchase a HUD-owned property in a HUD-designated “revitalization area”.
• Must commit to living in the property as primary residence for at least 36 months.
• Must sign HUD’s second mortgage and note for the discount amount; compliance with annual certifications is required.
• The buyer cannot own another residential property at the time of the offer submission (and in some source descriptions for the one year prior).

TD Bank⁴ offers two grants for first-time homeowners. The Home Access Mortgage offers up to $10,000 in lender credits, and FNMA HomeReady provides $2,500 in grant money to first-time buyers.

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Qualify for an eligible TD Bank affordable mortgage (such as Home Access Mortgage or Right Step Mortgage) under TD’s standard underwriting.
• Meet TD Bank income and/or property location limits for the specific program.
• Purchase a 1–4 unit primary residence.
• Complete any required homebuyer education and program-specific conditions.

Chase’s Homebuyer Grant⁵ can provide $2,500 to $5,000 (or more in some areas) to help cover closing costs, interest rate buydowns, or part of your down payment.

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Meet Chase’s income, credit, and debt-to-income guidelines and any homebuyer education requirements
• Use an eligible Chase mortgage product (often DreaMaker or another qualifying Chase home loan)
• Purchase a primary residence
• Buy in an eligible location or census tract

Bank of America⁶ offers two true grants to buy homes. It’s America’s Home Grant, which provides a lender credit for closing costs or rate buydowns, and the Down Payment Grant, which offers up to $10,000 or 3% of the sales price toward your down payment in eligible areas.

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Use an eligible, fixed-rate Bank of America mortgage loan program.
• For the Down Payment Grant, qualify as a first-time home buyer under program rules.
• Meet income limits and location requirements for the property and market.
• Purchase a primary residence and satisfy Bank of America’s standard underwriting guidelines.

Wells Fargo’s Homebuyer Access Grant⁷ can provide up to $10,000 in down payment assistance, and it can be paired with Dream.Plan.Home credits to help cover closing costs or other home-buying expenses.

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Use an eligible Wells Fargo fixed-rate conventional mortgage.
• Meet program income limits and ensure either your current address or the property is in an eligible area.
• Purchase a primary residence.
• Satisfy Wells Fargo’s underwriting requirements and any additional program conditions.

Navy Federal’s Homebuyers Choice loan⁸ is a first-time home buyer program that offers 0% down and no PMI for eligible members.

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Be a Navy Federal Credit Union member.
• Use the loan to buy a primary residence.
• Meet Navy Federal’s credit, income, and debt-to-income standards.
• Accept program-specific costs and terms, such as the funding and origination fee structure.

If you have a service-related disability, you shouldn’t have to pay the VA funding fee at closing, and the minimum service eligibility requirements don’t apply. You might also be exempt from property taxes and could receive a tax credit, depending on where you live. The VA also provides special grant programs to help adapt your housing to your needs. Learn more about VA loan grants here.

Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor to check your eligibility for Section 8 vouchers. Keep in mind that these vouchers might not be available in all areas, and the application process can take time. If you receive a voucher, you should pay about 30% of your adjusted monthly income for housing.

Nonprofits can be a valuable resource for disabled homebuyers seeking assistance. To start your search, check out the National Disability Institute, Habitat for Humanity, RebuildingTogether, AmeriCorps, and Homes for Our Troops.