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
Harris County is the most populous county in Texas, with about 5 million people. Its school staff, deputies, firefighters and paramedics can use Homes for Texas Heroes for up to 5% of their loan.
SeatHouston
Residents5,045,026
Metro income figure$176,800
The local picture
Houston is the county seat, and the eligible workforce stretches from Pasadena and Baytown to Tomball and the Harris County side of Katy. Houston ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Aldine ISD, Klein ISD and part of Katy ISD all employ full-time teachers, aides, librarians, counselors and school nurses who fit TSAHC's educator definition.
Houston Police Department officers, Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies and deputies in the county's constable offices are verified through a TCOLE license. Houston Fire Department firefighters are verified through TCFP certification.
Harris also has targeted census tracts on TDHCA's list. They matter mainly if you compare TDHCA's My First Texas Home or add a tax credit, so ask your lender whether a home you like sits in one.
Income and price limits in Harris County
TSAHC's July 2026 Heroes figure for the Houston metro is $176,800, and a lender confirms the exact Heroes limit for Harris County; TDHCA's separate My First Texas Home limits here are $104,000 for 1-2 people and $119,600 for 3+, with a $566,354 price limit outside targeted tracts. Statewide limits · What can I afford?
Local money in Harris 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.
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
Local employers whose staff can qualify
Houston ISD
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Katy ISD (part)
Aldine ISD
Klein ISD
Houston Police Department
Harris County Sheriff's Office
Houston Fire Department
Harris County Constable offices
Full-time HISD, Cy-Fair, Aldine and Klein staff, HPD and sheriff's personnel, constable deputies and HFD crews make up most of the local eligible pool; hospital nurses do not qualify. The full list of eligible jobs.
Questions from Harris County buyers
Do Harris County constable deputies qualify?
Peace officers under Texas law qualify, and TSAHC verifies them with a TCOLE license. A full-time constable deputy with that license fits the category; your lender confirms it.
Is there a home price cap in Harris County?
Not for TSAHC's non-bond down payment help without an MCC. Price limits apply if you use bond DPA or add the MCC. TDHCA's non-targeted price limit in Harris County is $566,354.
I'm a nurse in Houston. Can I use the program?
Only if you are a full-time public school nurse or full-time nursing faculty. Hospital nurses are not on the Heroes list. Home Sweet Texas, open to any profession, may fit instead.
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.
