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
In Bexar County, with about 2.16 million residents, San Antonio's schools and public-safety agencies employ a large share of the people Homes for Texas Heroes was built for.
SeatSan Antonio
Residents2,160,088
Metro income figure$178,339
The local picture
Most buyers here look in San Antonio itself, or in Converse, Universal City, Leon Valley and Live Oak. Northside ISD, North East ISD, San Antonio ISD and Judson ISD are the big local school employers, and their full-time teachers, aides, counselors, librarians and school nurses can all fit the educator category.
San Antonio Police Department officers and Bexar County Sheriff's Office deputies prove eligibility with a TCOLE license. The San Antonio Fire Department runs EMS as well as fire service, so its members may qualify as firefighters (TCFP) or as EMS personnel (DSHS), depending on the role.
Qualifying veterans can use the Heroes help, and the MCC's first-time rule is waived for them.
Income and price limits in Bexar County
TSAHC's San Antonio-metro Heroes figure is $178,339, with a lender confirming the exact limit for Bexar County; TDHCA's San Antonio-New Braunfels limits are $104,725 (1-2 people) and $120,434 (3+), with a $583,580 price limit. Statewide limits · What can I afford?
Local money in Bexar County
Programs run by cities, counties and employers here. Some can sit on top of the state help, some replace it. A loan officer sorts out which pairings are allowed.
First-time buyers purchasing a primary residence in San Antonio city limits
How much
$1,000 to $30,000 (based on need)
Kind of help
Loan that is forgiven over time
Income cap
$80,500 for a family of 4 (2026)
Price cap
$260,000 existing / $284,000 new construction
First-timers only?
Yes
Fine print
0% second lien, no payments; $1,000-$15,000 forgiven over 5 years, $15,001-$30,000 over 10 years; 8-hour HUD homebuyer class; $500 minimum earnest money; property review and inspection
First-come, first-served, subject to fund availability.
Budget a few hours for a buyer class before closing, because almost every program requires it. These HUD-approved agencies around Bexar County teach the class or sit down with buyers one on one:
Agency
Town
Miles away
Offers
Languages
How
Our Casas Resident Council, Inc.
San Antonio
2
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English, Spanish
In person, By phone, Online
City of San Antonio/Dept of Neighborhood and Housing Services (Dnhs)
San Antonio
2
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English
In person, By phone, Online
Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio
San Antonio
5
Buyer class, One-on-one prep
English, Spanish
In person, 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
Local employers whose staff can qualify
Northside ISD
North East ISD
San Antonio ISD
Judson ISD
San Antonio Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
San Antonio Fire Department (incl. EMS)
Northside, North East, SAISD and Judson staff, SAPD officers, sheriff's deputies, SAFD fire and EMS members and qualifying veterans are the main local fit. The full list of eligible jobs.
Questions from Bexar County buyers
Can a veteran in San Antonio add the tax credit after owning a home?
Possibly. The MCC's first-time buyer rule is waived for qualified veterans. It must be paired with TSAHC down payment help, subject to bond funding.
Do SAFD paramedics qualify?
Yes, if full time. Firefighters are verified through TCFP, and EMTs and paramedics through DSHS. Your lender uses the category that fits.
What credit score do I need in Bexar County?
The same statewide minimums: 620 for a government loan and 640 for a conventional loan.
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.
