Homes for Texas Heroes

Home loans for Texas corrections officers and county jailers

Texas TDCJ and TJJD officers on hazardous duty pay and full-time county jailers can get up to 5% of the loan for down payment and closing costs.

Who's covered

Three groups qualify:

Corrections officers: full-time Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) employees receiving hazardous duty pay, verified by a TDCJ verification of employment.
Juvenile corrections officers: full-time Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) employees receiving hazardous duty pay, verified by a TJJD verification of employment.
County jailers: full-time county jail guards under Sec. 85.005 of the Local Government Code, verified by a TCOLE license.

Homes for Texas Heroes is a year-round program from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to 5% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, either as a grant you never repay or as a loan forgiven after 3 years. First-time buyers can also add a Mortgage Credit Certificate, a federal tax credit.

Hazardous duty pay is the key

For TDCJ and TJJD staff, the test is full-time employment with hazardous duty pay. If you're not sure whether your position receives it, your verification of employment will show it.

Buying near a unit in a smaller town

Heroes help works statewide, and for non-bond help without an MCC there is no purchase price limit. A lender confirms the income limit for the county where you buy.

Papers to have on hand

TDCJ or TJJD verification of employment, or a TCOLE license for county jailers
Income and asset documents your lender requests
Homebuyer education certificate before closing

Readers also ask

Do TDCJ staff without hazardous duty pay qualify?

TSAHC's definition requires full-time TDCJ employment with hazardous duty pay. A lender can check your verification of employment.

Are county jailers eligible?

Yes. Full-time county jailers qualify and are verified with a TCOLE license.

Is the help a grant?

You choose. Up to 5% of the loan can be a grant that is never repaid, or a second-lien loan forgiven after three years if you don't sell or refinance.