Fort Worth, TX

Down payment assistance in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth's Homebuyer Assistance Program offers first-time buyers up to $25,000 toward down payment and closing costs, as funds allow.

How does the Fort Worth HAP work?

The city's Neighborhood Services department runs the Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program. It provides up to $25,000 as a 0% deferred, forgivable loan, with closing-cost help of up to 3% of the loan counted inside that cap. It is for first-time buyers, meaning no ownership in the last 3 years, purchasing inside Fort Worth city limits with household income at or below 80% AMI ($88,250 for a family of four, updated June 2026). Guideline price limits are $309,000 for an existing home and $329,000 for new construction.

Underwriting is stricter than many grant programs: a 620 minimum credit score, HUD-certified homebuyer education, a contribution of $1,000 or 2% of the price (whichever is less), two months of reserves, plus an inspection and environmental review. The affordability period is 5 years for awards up to $14,999 and 10 years for $15,000-$25,000 under the Sept 2026 guidelines. The city says acceptance depends on the availability of funds, so treat it as funding-dependent and ask your lender before you write an offer.

Fort Worth sits outside the county's own program: the Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program excludes Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie. That makes statewide help more important here. Fort Worth ISD and Keller ISD staff, Fort Worth police and firefighters, and MedStar paramedics can check Homes for Texas Heroes, and TDHCA My First Texas Home works for other buyers. The Tarrant County page has metro income limits. Plan the timeline early: the inspection and environmental review happen before closing, so build extra days into your contract.

Run by the city of Fort Worth

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.'

Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources

Read our full write-up → Could I get this? →

The statewide layer

Buyers in Fort Worth can also draw on 9 statewide programs, Homes for Texas Heroes among them. The full Texas list · Program matcher

County guide: Tarrant County.

Buyer classes near Tarrant County

Budget a few hours for a buyer class before closing, because almost every program requires it. These HUD-approved agencies around Tarrant County teach the class or sit down with buyers one on one:

Agency	Town	Miles away	Offers	Languages	How
Housing Channel	Fort Worth	3	Buyer class, One-on-one prep	English	By phone
Fort Worth Area Habitat for Humanity Inc	Fort Worth	11	Buyer class, One-on-one prep	English, Spanish	In person, By phone, Online
Transformance Dba Services of Hope Entities	Dallas	25	Buyer class, One-on-one prep	English	By phone
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity	Dallas	25	Buyer class, One-on-one prep	English, Spanish	In person, By phone
Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center	Dallas	26	Buyer class, One-on-one prep	English	By phone

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 Fort Worth buyers

How much can I get from Fort Worth HAP?

Up to $25,000 as a 0% deferred forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs; closing-cost help is limited to 3% of the loan within that cap.

What credit score does Fort Worth HAP require?

A minimum 620 credit score, plus HUD-certified homebuyer education and two months of reserves.

Can Fort Worth buyers use the Tarrant County program?

No. The Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program serves the county outside Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie.