First-time home buyer programs in Atlanta
3 programs run by local housing agencies help buyers in Atlanta with the down payment, and the statewide Georgia programs work here too.
- Programs available locally
- 3
- Largest amount
- $30,000
- Loan or grant
- Loan that can be forgiven
Down payment help in Atlanta
| Program | Amount | Loan or grant | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL HomeNOW. Run by Invest Atlanta | Up to $20,000 | Loan that can be forgiven | Your household income must be at or below the limit for your household size. A household of 1 has a $99,000 limit, while a household of 5 has a $152,760 limit. | No |
| ATL Home Renovation Advantage. Run by Invest Atlanta | Up to $10,000 | Loan that can be forgiven | Your household income must be at or below the limit for your household size. A household of 1 has a $99,000 limit, while a household of 5 has a $152,760 limit. | No |
| Beltline Mortgage Assistance Program. Run by Invest Atlanta | Up to $30,000 | Ask the agency | Your household income must be at or below one of the limits shown. For 120% AMI, the page lists $99,000 for a household of 1 and $152,760 for a household of 5. For 140% AMI, it lists a range of $115,500 to $178,220. | No |
Who is eligible under ATL HomeNOW?
- Within Atlanta's incorporated city limits.
- Your household income must be at or below the limit for your household size. A household of 1 has a $99,000 limit, while a household of 5 has a $152,760 limit.
- First-time buyer status isn't required.
- You must take a homebuyer education course.
- Your credit score needs to be 620 or higher.
- Price limit: there's no purchase price cap. The loan amount can't exceed $325,000.
- Your first mortgage must have a 30-year fixed rate. Use an FHA, VA or Conventional loan from an Invest Atlanta participating lender.
Once you've lived in the home as your primary residence throughout the 10-year affordability period, the loan is forgiven.
Once you've kept the home for the number of years the program sets, the forgivable loan is written off.
Go to the Invest Atlanta Q&A session, complete homebuyer education and then reach out to a participating lender. For the full rules, read Invest Atlanta's page for ATL HomeNOW.
Who is eligible under ATL Home Renovation Advantage?
- Within Atlanta's city limits.
- Your household income must be at or below the limit for your household size. A household of 1 has a $99,000 limit, while a household of 5 has a $152,760 limit.
- First-time buyer status isn't required.
- You must take a homebuyer education course.
- Price limit: the maximum purchase price is $450,000.
- A home renovation mortgage loan is required: FHA 203K or Conventional HomeStyle.
- Take a special renovation education class from Resources for Residents & Communities or Committed to Communities.
After you live in the home for 5 years, the loan is fully forgiven.
Use an Invest Atlanta participating lender once you've completed the Q&A session and required education. For the full rules, read Invest Atlanta's page for ATL Home Renovation Advantage.
Who is eligible under Beltline Mortgage Assistance Program?
- You must be inside subareas 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 of the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD).
- Your household income must be at or below one of the limits shown. For 120% AMI, the page lists $99,000 for a household of 1 and $152,760 for a household of 5. For 140% AMI, it lists a range of $115,500 to $178,220.
- First-time buyer status isn't required.
- You must take a homebuyer education course.
- Your credit score needs to be 620 or higher.
- Price limit: purchases have no cap. The loan can't exceed $400,000; max CLTV 105%.
- For your first mortgage, use a 30-year fixed rate. It must be FHA, VA or conventional from an Invest Atlanta participating lender.
This help comes as a 0% soft second mortgage and includes a 15-year affordability period. No forgiveness terms appear in the snippet.
Use an Invest Atlanta participating lender once you've completed the Q&A session and required education. For the full rules, read Invest Atlanta's page for Beltline Mortgage Assistance Program.
Atlanta also has Georgia's statewide programs
| Program | Amount | Loan or grant |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Dream Loan Program - Standard | The amount is no more than 5% of the price, with a ceiling of $10,000. | Repayable loan |
Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides a complete list of every Georgia first-time home buyer program. For Fulton County, the income figure appears in our HUD income limit lookup.
Talk to a lender about buying in Atlanta
Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Georgia's programs can tell you which of these fit you, and which you can combine.
Would you rather not call? Share your details, and the lender will contact you.