Homes for Texas Heroes takes applications all year: up to 5% of the loan amount, paid toward your down payment and closing.(800) 555-0100Run the 2-minute check
Heads-up list. Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program (TCHBA) lives on a limited pot that can run dry. Sign up and we'll tell you when a new round is funded.
How the loan is forgiven
The money is a 0% deferred, forgivable loan funded with HUD HOME dollars and administered by the nonprofit Housing Channel. You make no payments on it. The lien stays for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years depending on how much you receive, and the loan is forgiven at the end of that period if you meet the program terms. Larger amounts mean a longer commitment.
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers with no ownership in the past 3 years, buying in Tarrant County outside Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie. Housing Channel lists an income limit of 80% of AMI, $88,250 for a family of four; the 2025-26 guidelines show $85,350, so confirm the current number. The price cap is $309,000 for existing homes and $329,000 for new construction. HUD homebuyer education is required, and the home cannot be in a FEMA flood plain.
County vs. city programs
Fort Worth runs its own, smaller program of up to $25,000, and Arlington's program is currently paused. If your home is in a Tarrant County suburb outside those three cities, this county program is the one to look at. Whether it can be paired with Homes for Texas Heroes or a TDHCA loan is not stated; a participating lender confirms whether they combine. The first-time buyer steps guide shows where the HUD class and inspections fit.
The flood plain rule rules out some otherwise affordable homes, so ask your agent to check the FEMA map before an offer. Because Tarrant County's program can reach $50,000, twice the Fort Worth cap, the price limits of $309,000 and $329,000 still apply, and the assistance can also be used for principal reduction, which lowers the first mortgage and the monthly payment.
How to apply
Applications opened in November 2025, and funding is subject to availability. Contact Housing Channel at (817) 924-5091 ext. 3280 to confirm the program is still taking files, take the HUD class and get pre-approved within the price limit. You can also check your eligibility for the statewide help.
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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