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
Houston runs three of its own homebuyer programs, but only one is taking new buyers today. State programs fill most of the gap.
What can a Houston homebuyer actually get right now?
The city's flagship Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP), run by the Housing and Community Development Department, offered up to $75,000 as a 0% loan forgiven after 8 years for first-time buyers at or under 80% AMI (about $83,200 for a family of four). It is closed: HCD says available funds are exhausted and it is not accepting or processing applications until funding is replenished. Even when it reopens, the home must pay City of Houston taxes, and assistance is suspended in the Fifth Ward/Kashmere Gardens EPA sampling zone.
Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program 2.0 is a disaster-recovery fund of up to $125,000 for low-income first-time buyers who lived in the city on Aug 25, 2017. It is effectively a waitlist: applications without a pre-approval are on hold, first-come, first-served if more money arrives. The one city option open today is the Houston Community Land Trust Homebuyer Choice Program, with grants up to $150,000. The trade-off is that the land stays in trust under a ground lease, you put in at least $70,000 (usually a mortgage), and resale price growth is capped at 1.25% a year.
Because city money is thin, most Houston buyers lean on statewide programs. HPD officers, Houston firefighters and teachers in Houston ISD, Aldine ISD and Cy-Fair ISD can check Homes for Texas Heroes, worth up to 5% of the loan. TDHCA My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas serve buyers in any job. Harris County's own options are covered on the Harris County page; note the county HFC gift funds exclude homes inside Houston. Use the program finder to see which combination fits.
Run by the city of Houston
Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
Not taking applications
City of Houston
Meant for
Income-qualified first-time buyers purchasing in Houston city limits
How much
Up to $75,000
Kind of help
Loan that is forgiven over time
Income cap
80% AMI (~$83,200 for a family of 4, eff. June 1, 2026)
First-timers only?
Yes
Fine print
0% forgivable loan secured by a lien, forgiven after 8 years in the home (partial repayment if you leave early); home must pay City of Houston taxes; HUD-approved homebuyer education; US citizen or permanent resident; pre-approval letters valid 3 months
HCD: 'Due to the exhaustion of available program funds, we are no longer accepting or processing additional applications.' Re-opens when funding is replenished. Assistance suspended in the Fifth Ward/Kashmere Gardens EPA sampling zone.
Income-qualified buyers choosing a home in the City of Houston that meets HCLT criteria
How much
Up to $150,000 in financial assistance grants
Kind of help
Grant, nothing to repay
Fine print
Land placed in trust under a ground lease; buyer contributes at least $70,000 (usually a mortgage), more at higher incomes; housing costs 28-33% of income; resale price capped (initial price + 1.25%/year); must use a licensed realtor
Shared-equity land trust model. Income limits not published on the pages read.
Harris County Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)
Not taking applications
Harris County (unincorporated)
Meant for
First-time buyers affected by Hurricane Beryl/Derecho (other applicants no longer accepted)
How much
Up to $40,000 forgivable second lien
Kind of help
Loan that is forgiven over time
Income cap
80% AMI (~$83,200 for a family of 4, June 2026)
Price cap
$285,000 existing / $296,000 new construction
First-timers only?
Yes
Fine print
580 min credit; 39%/42% DTI caps; $1,000 minimum buyer contribution; liquid assets $30,000 max; 8-hour HUD homebuyer course; qualified census tract; not in a flood hazard area; primary residence for 5 or 10 years; apply through participating lenders
Closed to non-affected buyers: 'the program has already reached maximum capacity.' Still accepting Beryl/Derecho-affected households.
Households affected by Hurricane Beryl / the May 2024 derecho
How much
Up to 45% of the home price (price reduction, down payment, closing costs, rate buydown)
Kind of help
Loan that is forgiven over time
Income cap
80% AMI (~$83,200 for a family of 4, May 2026)
Fine print
620 min credit; lender prequalification; 8-hour HUD homebuyer class for each applicant; 39% housing / 42% total DTI caps; US citizen or permanent resident
Pre-application online. Disaster-recovery program, so storm impact is required.
Budget a few hours for a buyer class before closing, because almost every program requires it. These HUD-approved agencies around Harris County teach the class or sit down with buyers one on one:
Agency
Town
Miles away
Offers
Languages
How
Fifth-Ward Community Redevelopment Corp.
Houston
7
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English, Spanish
In person, By phone, Online
Credit Coalition
Houston
7
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English
By phone, Online
Houston Area Urban League
Houston
12
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English
By phone
Tejano Center for Community Concerns
Pasadena
19
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English, Spanish
In person, By phone, Online
Money Management International Inc.
Stafford
19
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English, Spanish
By phone, Online
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 Houston buyers
Is the City of Houston HAP accepting applications?
No. HCD says program funds are exhausted and it is not accepting or processing new applications. It reopens only when funding is replenished.
Who qualifies for Harvey HbAP 2.0?
Low-income first-time buyers who lived in the City of Houston on Aug 25, 2017. Applications without a pre-approval are on hold until more funding arrives.
What is the catch with the Houston Community Land Trust grant?
The land is held in trust under a ground lease, you must contribute at least $70,000 (usually a mortgage), and your resale price is capped at the purchase price plus 1.25% per year.
Got it. You're signed up.
We'll reach out when it reopens. Curious what you could qualify for right now?
I'm Linda, and I answer the phones for this desk. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Texas. A few taps and you'll know where you stand.
