Pennsylvania first-time home buyer programs
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) lists 5 programs that help buyers in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHFA Grant. With pHFA's HFA Preferred (Lo MI) conventional loan; homebuyer course; price limit no purchase price limit. | Up to $500 | Grant: Grant does not need to be repaid; must be used toward the home purchase. | Your income must be within the county limits for the HFA Preferred loan. | No |
| Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan Program. With HFA Preferred, Keystone Government, or Keystone Home loan; credit score 660+. | Up to 4% of the price or value, at most $6,000 | Repayable loan: 0% loan repaid monthly over ten years. | Same as the PHFA main home loan you use. | No |
| Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years Loan Program (K-FIT). With a PHFA Keystone Home loan (Conventional, FHA, VA or RD); credit score 660+. | Up to 5% of the price or value | Forgivable loan: Second mortgage forgiven 10% per year over ten years. | Your income must fall within the Keystone Flex Loan Program Income Limit. | Yes, with exceptions |
| Keystone Due At Time of Expiration (K-DATE). With a PHFA Keystone Flex first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, RD or VA); credit score 660+; homebuyer course; price limit keystone Flex Loan Program purchase price limit. | Up to 8% of the price or value | Deferred loan: 0% loan with no monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance or pay off your main home loan. | Income must be within the Keystone Flex Loan Program limit. | No |
| Access Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance Program. Only for buyers with a disability or a disabled household member who are also using the Access Home Modification Program. With a PHFA first mortgage loan (Keystone Home Loan, HFA Preferred, or Keystone Government Loan). | Up to $15,000 | Deferred loan | 80% of statewide family median income (HUD). | 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 Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) 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 Pennsylvania's programs.
How do you repay Pennsylvania's programs?
- Grant: money you never pay back, used for the down payment or closing costs.
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
How does your income compare with Pennsylvania'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $110,400 | $88,300 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $122,700 | $98,150 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $109,300 | $87,450 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $104,400 | $83,500 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $92,400 | $73,600 |
Talk to a lender that works with Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia or programs for all 50 states plus DC.