Missouri first-time home buyer programs
Missouri Housing Development Commission lists 2 programs that help buyers in Missouri with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 2
- Biggest amount listed
- 4% of the loan
- First-time buyers only
- 1 of 2 programs
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Missouri
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Place With Down Payment Assistance. With MHDC First Place first mortgage loan; credit score 640+; price limit set limits for Missouri properties (see MHDC website). | Up to 4% of the home loan | Forgivable loan: Forgiven after 10 years in the home. After year five, what you owe drops by 1/60 each month. | Your income must fall within program limits, which vary by area. | Yes, with exceptions |
| Next Step Program. With a 30-year MHDC FHA, VA, USDA-RD, FNMA HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage conventional loan; credit score 640+. | Up to 4% of the home loan | Forgivable loan: Forgiven after 10 years. After year five, what you owe drops by 1/60 each month. | Income limits are higher than First Place and vary by area. | 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 Missouri Housing Development Commission 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 Missouri's programs.
How do you repay Missouri's programs?
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
How does your income compare with Missouri'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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $113,500 | $90,800 |
| Kansas City | $113,400 | $90,700 |
| St. Joseph | $91,800 | $73,350 |
| Springfield | $91,400 | $73,100 |
| Jefferson City | $105,500 | $84,400 |
Talk to a lender that works with Missouri 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 Missouri's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.