SeatAustin
Residents1,389,670
Metro income figure$228,480
The local picture
Eligible buyers here work across Austin, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Manor and Bee Cave. Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Del Valle ISD, Eanes ISD and Lake Travis ISD all employ full-time educators who may fit the program.
Austin Police Department officers and Travis County Sheriff's Office deputies qualify with a TCOLE license. Austin Fire Department firefighters qualify with TCFP certification, and Austin-Travis County EMS medics qualify with DSHS certification.
Because there's no purchase price limit for TSAHC's non-bond help without an MCC, a home's price alone won't rule you out of the Heroes help here. Adding the MCC or using bond DPA brings price limits back in.
Income and price limits in Travis County
TSAHC's Austin-metro Heroes figure is $228,480, and a lender confirms the exact limit for Travis County; TDHCA's Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos limits are $134,400 for 1-2 people and $154,560 for 3+, with a $598,019 price limit. Statewide limits · What can I afford?
Local money in Travis 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.
City of Austin (full-purpose city limits)
- Meant for
- First-time buyers (or no ownership in 3 years / displaced or divorced) buying a single-family home or condo
- How much
- Up to $40,000
- Kind of help
- Loan that is forgiven over time
- Income cap
- 80% MFI ($106,800 for a family of 4)
- Price cap
- $440,000
- First-timers only?
- Yes
- Fine print
- Homebuyer education certificate; Housing-certified participating lender; covers down payment, closing costs and prepaids
Older city FAQ: under $15,000 is a 5-year forgivable loan; $15,000-$40,000 is shared-equity (10-year affordability, 30-year term). Austin city limits reach into Williamson and Hays counties.
Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →Could I get this? →Austin Community Land Trust
Taking applicationsCity of Austin
- Meant for
- Low- and moderate-income buyers
- How much
- Below-market price (buyer leases the land)
- Kind of help
- shared equity
- Fine print
- Ground lease with resale formula
Find homes and sign up for notices via info@ACLT-Homes.org / 512-974-3100. Income limits not on the page.
Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources
Could I get this? →Travis County, including City of Austin
- Meant for
- Low- to moderate-income buyers; first-time and repeat
- How much
- 4%, 5% or 6% of loan amount (net 4.5%, 3.5% or 2.5% after lender fee options)
- Kind of help
- Loan that is forgiven over time
- Income cap
- 140% AMI ($138,460)
- Price cap
- $364,452
- First-timers only?
- No
- Fine print
- 0% 10-year forgivable second; 30-year fixed FHA/VA/USDA-RD/Freddie Mac HFA Advantage; 640 min FICO; 45% max DTI; homebuyer education for first-time buyers; no manufactured homes
Fact-checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →Could I get this? →The full Texas program list.
Buyer classes near Travis County
Budget a few hours for a buyer class before closing, because almost every program requires it. These HUD-approved agencies around Travis 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
Local employers whose staff can qualify
- Austin ISD
- Pflugerville ISD
- Del Valle ISD
- Eanes ISD
- Lake Travis ISD
- Austin Police Department
- Travis County Sheriff's Office
- Austin Fire Department
- Austin-Travis County EMS
Austin, Pflugerville, Del Valle, Eanes and Lake Travis ISD staff, APD, sheriff's deputies, AFD and Austin-Travis County EMS are the core local eligible pool. The full list of eligible jobs.
Questions from Travis County buyers
Do Austin-Travis County EMS medics qualify?
Yes, if full time. TSAHC covers EMTs, EMT-Intermediates, EMT-Paramedics and licensed paramedics, verified through the DSHS license lookup.
Is 5% enough to matter in Austin?
It's up to 5% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, with no price cap for non-bond help without an MCC. Use the calculator on the home page for a rough number at your price.
Do I need homebuyer education?
Yes. One borrower must finish an approved homebuyer education course, online or in person, before closing.
Nearby county guides: Harris County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, Collin County, Denton County, Fort Bend County, Hidalgo County. See them all.
