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Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program: up to $25,000
The City of Fort Worth offers first-time buyers up to $25,000 for a down payment and closing costs, as a 0% deferred loan that is forgiven over time.
Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
Money can run out
City of Fort Worth
Meant for
First-time buyers (no ownership in 3 years) purchasing in Fort Worth city limits
How much
Up to $25,000 (down payment + closing costs; closing-cost help up to 3% of loan amount within the cap)
Kind of help
Loan that is forgiven over time
Income cap
80% AMI ($88,250 for a family of 4, updated June 2026)
Price cap
$309,000 existing / $329,000 new construction (guidelines, as of June 15, 2024)
First-timers only?
Yes
Fine print
0% deferred loan; 620 min credit; HUD-certified homebuyer education; minimum contribution $1,000 or 2% of price, whichever is less; 2 months reserves; inspection and environmental review
Affordability 5 years (up to $14,999) or 10 years ($15,000-$25,000) per Sept 2026 guidelines; page overview says 5 years. Acceptance 'depends on the availability of funds.'
Heads-up list. Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) lives on a limited pot that can run dry. Sign up and we'll tell you when a new round is funded.
How HAP is structured
Assistance is a 0% deferred loan with no monthly payments. Within the $25,000 cap, closing-cost help can be up to 3% of the loan amount. The loan is forgiven if you meet an affordability period. The September 2026 guidelines set it at 5 years for amounts up to $14,999 and 10 years for $15,000 to $25,000; the program overview page says 5 years, so confirm the period that applies to your amount.
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers, meaning no ownership in the past 3 years, buying inside Fort Worth city limits in Tarrant County. Income up to 80% of area median income, $88,250 for a family of four as updated in June 2026. Price limits in the guidelines dated June 15, 2024 are $309,000 for an existing home and $329,000 for new construction. You need a 620 credit score, HUD-certified homebuyer education, two months of reserves, and your own contribution of $1,000 or 2% of the price, whichever is less. The home must pass an inspection and an environmental review.
HAP alongside state programs
The city's pages do not say whether HAP can sit behind a TSAHC or TDHCA loan; a participating lender confirms whether they combine. Buyers in other Tarrant County suburbs use the county's separate program, while Arlington's program is paused. Read the assistance types guide to compare a forgivable loan with a grant.
The minimum contribution rule is easy to miss. On a $250,000 home, 2% would be $5,000, so the $1,000 option applies and you bring at least $1,000 of your own. The two months of reserves are separate from that contribution, so plan savings for both. The inspection and environmental review can add time to closing, which is worth building into your contract dates with the seller.
How to apply
Take the HUD-certified class, get pre-approved, and apply through the city's Neighborhood Services department. Acceptance depends on available funds, so applying early helps. A quick eligibility check shows whether Homes for Texas Heroes is an option as well.
Summed up from the program's official page as of November 2026. Money and rules change; check current terms with the program or a lender that takes part. Texas Down Payment Assistance has no tie to this program.
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