The down payment assistance programs that are listed here are a sample of what is available for homebuyers in Texas. This can be your starting point as you search for the right program for your family.

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Homes for Texas Heroes Program

Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in Texas

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation wanted to help some of the state’s hardworking individuals achieve their dreams of homeownership, which is why they introduced the Homes for Texas Heroes Program. This initiative provides teachers, police and correctional officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel, and veterans with down payment assistance and a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with several rates and loan options.

The program grants applicants funds between 3 to 5 percent of the total loan amount, to be put toward the down payment and/or closing costs associated with purchasing a home. This money is a gift, with no repayment terms, and no requirement to live in the home for minimum time period.

The Homes for Texas Heroes Program is available to homebuyers statewide, through a network of participating lenders. While there is no first-time homebuyer requirement, those who are purchasing their first home can also apply for a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC). Texas Heroes who use the down payment and MCC assistance together will receive their MCC for free, saving $500.

Eligible Professions
  • Allied Health Faculty Member
  • Corrections Officer
  • County Jailers
  • Emergency Medical Services Personnel
  • Fire Fighters
  • Juvenile Corrections Officers
  • Military Veteran
  • Nursing Faculty Member
  • Peace Officer
  • Professional Educator
  • Public Security Officer
The purpose of this program is to make funds available to eligible applicants who are interested in purchasing a home but need financial help to pay the upfront costs, which include the down payment, as well as the closing costs and prepaid items required to obtain homeownership. These expenses can add up to a substantial amount, and the inability to pay it might keep people stuck in a renters trap.

*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but States and Local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.

Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

Down Payment Grants in Texas

The Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH) offers Texas residents the 5 Star Texas Advantage Program, which helps eligible applicants with down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a grant.

The Austin Down Payment Assistance Program helps low-income families purchase their first home by offering up to $40,000 in assistance funds, to help cover the upfront costs of a mortgage.

In order to help more residents purchase their first homes in Harris County, the Community Services Department offers eligible applicants help with its Down Payment Assistance Program.

Homeownership Across Texas grants 5 percent of the loan amount with VA, FHA, or USDA financed loans. Borrowers with conventional loans receive 3 percent grants. Grants do not come with any repayment or recapture period, nor is there a first-time homebuyer requirement.

This initiative provides teachers, police and correctional officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel, and veterans with down payment assistance between 3 and 5 percent of the loan amount and a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with several rates and loan options.

Along with a competitive, fixed interest, 30-year home loan, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers the My First Texas Home Taxable Mortgage Program (TMP) offers down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5 percent of the mortgage loan.

This program is designed for homebuyers to purchase a home anywhere in Travis County, including the City of Austin, by helping them overcome the obstacle of down payment costs. A grant of up to 6% percent of the loan amount is applied towards the down payment or closing costs.

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