Illinois first-time home buyer programs
Illinois Housing Development Authority lists 5 programs that help buyers in Illinois with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 5
- Biggest amount listed
- $15,000
- First-time buyers only
- 1 of 5 programs
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Illinois
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Home. With an IHDA 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA HFA Preferred or FHLMC HFA Advantage loan; credit score 640+; homebuyer course. | Up to 6% of the price, at most $15,000 | Deferred loan: 0% loan, repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off your mortgage. | AccessHome has income and purchase price limits. Agency income chart | Yes, with exceptions |
| Access Forgivable. With an IHDA 30-year fixed-rate mortgage: FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA HFA Preferred or FHLMC HFA Advantage; credit score 640+; homebuyer course. | Up to 4% of the price, at most $6,000 | Forgivable loan: Forgiven a little each month over 10 years, so you do not have to repay it. | Varies by county and household size Agency income chart | No |
| Access Deferred. With an IHDA 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA HFA Preferred or FHLMC HFA Advantage loan; credit score 640+; homebuyer course. | Up to 5% of the price, at most $7,500 | Deferred loan: 0% loan, repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off your mortgage. | Varies by county (separate limits for targeted and non-targeted areas) Agency income chart | No |
| Access Repayable. With an IHDA 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA HFA Preferred or FHLMC HFA Advantage loan; credit score 640+; homebuyer course. | Up to 10% of the price, at most $10,000 | Repayable loan: Interest-free loan, repaid in monthly payments over 10 years. | Varies by county (separate limits for targeted and non-targeted areas) Agency income chart | No |
| Opening Doors (Abriendo Puertas). With a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage from IHDA; homebuyer course; price limit subject to IHDA purchase price limits (amount not stated). | Up to $6,000 | Forgivable loan: Forgiven after five years; no monthly payment is due. | Varies by county and household size Agency income chart | No |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Illinois Housing Development Authority page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Illinois's programs.
How do you repay Illinois's programs?
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
How does your income compare with Illinois's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville | $121,500 | $97,200 |
| St. Louis | $113,500 | $90,800 |
| Peoria | $106,100 | $84,900 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $97,500 | $78,000 |
| Springfield | $114,900 | $91,900 |
Talk to a lender that works with Illinois programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Illinois's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.