Which El Paso grants are open right now?
Both city programs come from the El Paso Housing Finance Corporation, and both are taking applications. The Mi Casa Homebuyer Grant gives up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs on a home inside El Paso city limits. Outside designated target areas, you must be a first-time buyer, and income is capped at $90,600 for a household of one or two or $105,340 for three or more. Inside a target area the caps rise to $109,920 and $128,240. Homebuyer education is required before closing, and the city's own page warns that funds won't last long; the HFC contact line is (915) 228-9336.
The Welcome Home El Paso Downpayment Grant works through participating lenders, currently GECU and Guardian Mortgage, and pays a grant of up to 5% of the loan amount. Its income limits are $90,100 for one or two people and $103,615 for three or more. Because it's lender-delivered, start with one of those lenders and ask which program fits your file.
State programs remain available in El Paso as well. TDHCA My First Texas Home lists $101,500 for a household of one or two in El Paso County, with a $566,354 non-targeted price limit. Teachers in El Paso ISD, Ysleta ISD and Socorro ISD, El Paso police officers and El Paso firefighters can also check Homes for Texas Heroes. Veterans and active military assigned to a Texas base can qualify under its veteran rules too. More detail is on the El Paso County page. Call before you shop so you know which grant fits.
Run by the city of El Paso
City of El Paso
- Meant for
- Buyers within El Paso city limits; first-time required outside target areas
- How much
- Up to $20,000 grant
- Kind of help
- Grant, nothing to repay
- Income cap
- Non-target: $90,600 (1-2) / $105,340 (3+); Target area: $109,920 / $128,240
- First-timers only?
- Yes
- Fine print
- Down payment and closing costs only; homebuyer education before closing
City page: 'Open Now... FUNDS WON'T LAST LONG!' Contact (915) 228-9336.
Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →Could I get this? →City of El Paso
- Meant for
- Buyers within El Paso city limits
- How much
- Grant up to 5% of the loan amount
- Kind of help
- Grant, nothing to repay
- Income cap
- $90,100 (1-2 people) / $103,615 (3+)
- Fine print
- Apply through a participating lender
Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →Could I get this? →The statewide layer
Buyers in El Paso can also draw on 9 statewide programs, Homes for Texas Heroes among them. The full Texas list · Program matcher
County guide: El Paso County.
Buyer classes near El Paso County
Budget a few hours for a buyer class before closing, because almost every program requires it. These HUD-approved agencies around El Paso County teach the class or sit down with buyers one on one:
Pulled from HUD's list of approved counseling agencies. A class that one program accepts may not count for another.
Which class counts? Your lender keeps the list of approved courses for each Texas program, and can open your pre-approval during the same conversation.
Start the eligibility check
Questions from El Paso buyers
How much is the El Paso Mi Casa grant?
Up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs on a home inside El Paso city limits. It does not have to be repaid.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer for Mi Casa?
Only outside designated target areas. Target areas also have higher income limits ($109,920 for 1-2 people, $128,240 for 3+).
How do I apply for Welcome Home El Paso?
Through a participating lender, currently GECU or Guardian Mortgage. The grant is up to 5% of the loan amount.
