Texas first-time home buyer programs
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation list 3 programs that help buyers in Texas with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 3
- Biggest amount listed
- 5% of the loan
- First-time buyers only
- None of them
- Income caps
- 170% of area median
Down payment assistance programs in Texas
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program. Only for teachers and educators, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, county jailers, corrections officers, and military veterans. With a TSAHC fixed-rate mortgage loan from a TSAHC-approved participating lender; credit score 620+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county and household size. | Up to 5% of the home loan | Grant or forgivable loan: Your choice, either way up to 5% of the loan: a grant that never has to be repaid, or a second loan forgiven after three years if you don't sell, refinance or move. | Income limits depend on your county and household size. | No |
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program. With a TSAHC fixed-rate mortgage from a TSAHC-approved participating lender; credit score 620+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county. | Up to 5% of the home loan | Grant or forgivable loan: Your choice, either way up to 5% of the loan: a grant that never has to be repaid, or a second loan forgiven after three years if you don't sell, refinance or move. | Varies by county and household size; up to 150-170% of area median income. | No |
| My Choice Texas Home. With a 30-year, low-interest mortgage from TDHCA's program; homebuyer course. | Up to 5% of the home loan | Forgivable or deferred loan: Either a 30-year 0% loan you repay when you sell or refinance, or a loan forgiven after 3 years (36 months). | Up to 170% of the area median family income with an FHA, VA or USDA loan; county limits with a Freddie Mac HFA Advantage loan. | 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 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation 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 Texas's programs.
How do you repay Texas's programs?
- Grant: money you never pay back, used for the down payment or closing costs.
- 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 Texas'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $121,100 | $96,900 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $104,000 | $83,200 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $134,400 | $106,800 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $100,600 | $80,500 |
| Amarillo | $90,700 | $72,800 |
Talk to a lender that works with Texas 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 Texas'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?
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma or programs for all 50 states plus DC.