Home buyer grants for teachers
Teachers can get the usual first-time buyer help in every state, plus a few programs only for educators and HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door, which takes half off the price of some HUD homes.
- State programs for teachers
- 5 in 5 states
- Largest open amount
- $35,000, Florida
- HUD Good Neighbor Next Door
- 50% off the list price
State programs for teachers
| Program | State | Amount | Grant or loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing (HTH) Program. Florida Housing Finance Corporation | Florida | Up to 5% of the home loan, at most $35,000 | Deferred loan |
| Georgia Dream Loan Program - Protectors, Educators & Nurses (PEN). Only for public protectors, educators, healthcare providers, workers in these industries, and active military. | Georgia | Up to 6% of the price, at most $12,500 | Repayable loan |
| Delaware Diamonds Home Loan. Only for essential workers in education and medical fields, first responders, and veterans. | Delaware | Up to $10,000 | Forgivable loan |
| Mississippi Housing Assistance for Teachers (HAT). Only for teachers who work in a critical shortage school district and buy a home in that county. | Mississippi | Up to $6,000 | Forgivable loan |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program. Only for teachers and educators, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, county jailers, corrections officers, and military veterans. | Texas | Up to 5% of the home loan | Grant or forgivable loan |
Each program's own page gives its income limit, credit score and how to apply. In every other state, teachers can use the same first-time buyer help as everyone else: pick your state or compare all states.
Good Neighbor Next Door: 50% off a HUD home for teachers
Who can use it: Teachers employed full-time by a state-accredited public or private school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12, in the area where the home is.
- HUD takes 50% off the list price of the home.
- Only HUD-owned single family homes in HUD's revitalization areas qualify, and each one is offered through the program for seven days. The list changes every week and the supply is small.
- You must own the home and live in it as your only home for 36 months, and confirm every year that you still live there.
- You sign a second mortgage for the discount. It has no interest and no payments, and HUD releases it after the three years if you kept the rules.
- When more than one buyer sends an offer on the same home, HUD picks the buyer by random lottery.
- To apply, check the HUD homes listed for your state and follow the steps to send your interest in a specific home.
From HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door page and its revitalization areas page. The homes are listed on the HUD Home Store.
Talk to a lender that works with programs for teachers
Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with your state's programs can tell you which ones fit you, including any for teachers.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.