First-time home buyer programs in Philadelphia
City of Philadelphia, administered by Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation runs Philly First Home for buyers in Philadelphia: up to $10,000, as a grant.
- Program at the local level
- 1
- Largest amount
- $10,000
- Loan or Grant
- Grant
Philadelphia down payment assistance
| Program | Amount | Loan or Grant | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philly First Home. The City of Philadelphia runs this program, and Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation administers it. | Up to $10,000 | Grant | Your gross household income must be at or below the chart limits the agency sets (for example, $85,900 for 1 person and $122,700 for 4). | Yes |
What are the Philly First Home eligibility rules?
- The property must be a single-family home or duplex in Philadelphia, and condominiums don't qualify.
- Your gross household income can't be above the agency's chart limits (for example, $85,900 for 1 person, $122,700 for 4).
- To qualify, you must be a first-time buyer.
- Only single-family homes and duplexes qualify, so condominiums don't qualify.
- A first-time buyer is someone who hasn't owned any home during the past three years.
- If you combine other homebuyer grants, check with your counselor to confirm they're compatible.
The page calls the assistance a grant, but it doesn't state the repayment terms.
You don't repay a grant as long as you follow the program's rules.
Reach out to a City-funded housing counseling agency. For the complete rules, read City of Philadelphia, administered by Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation's page for Philly First Home.
Statewide help through Pennsylvania's programs is also available in Philadelphia.
| Program | Amount | Loan or Grant |
|---|---|---|
| PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan Program | The amount may reach 4% of the price or value but cannot exceed $6,000. | Repayable loan |
| PHFA Grant | Up to $500 | Grant |
| PHFA Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years Loan Program (K-FIT) | Up to 5% of the price or value | Forgivable loan |
| PHFA Keystone Due At Time of Expiration (K-DATE) | Up to 8% of the price or value | Deferred loan |
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides every first-time home buyer program in Pennsylvania. The income figure for Philadelphia County appears in our HUD income limits lookup.
Talk with a lender about purchasing in Philadelphia
Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Pennsylvania's programs can tell you which of these fit you, and which you can combine.
Do you prefer to avoid calling? Send your details, and the lender will contact you.