Wisconsin first-time home buyer programs
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) list 2 programs that help buyers in Wisconsin 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
- $7,500
- First-time buyers only
- None of them
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Wisconsin
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA. With a WHEDA Advantage Conventional or WHEDA Advantage FHA first mortgage. | Up to 6% of the price | Repayable loan: Repaid monthly over 10 years at the same interest rate as the first mortgage. | Your household income limit is set by your WHEDA main home loan. | No |
| WHEDA Capital Access DPA. With a WHEDA Advantage Conventional or WHEDA Advantage FHA first mortgage. | Up to $7,500 | Deferred loan: 30-year loan at 0% interest with no monthly payments. | Uses WHEDA's separate household income limits, which are usually lower. | 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 Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) 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 Wisconsin's programs.
How do you repay Wisconsin's programs?
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
- 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 Wisconsin'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $108,400 | $86,700 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $131,500 | $105,200 |
| Appleton | $111,200 | $88,950 |
| Green Bay | $106,300 | $85,050 |
| Eau Claire | $101,300 | $81,050 |
Talk to a lender that works with Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin'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?
Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota or programs for all 50 states plus DC.