Georgia Down Payment Assistance Programs

Down payment assistance in Georgia comes from the state housing finance agency and from city and county programs. The statewide option is Georgia Dream. Local programs include Fulton County HOP, Invest Atlanta, Cobb County My Home DPA, Gwinnett Homestretch, Savannah DreamMaker, Augusta Homeownership Assistance, and Sweet Home Columbus. I’m David Stallings with NorthStar Mortgage Advisors, and my team helps Georgia buyers figure out which programs they qualify for and how to stack them with the right first mortgage. I have an office in Marietta, Georgia.

Last updated October 15, 2026. Every program below was checked against its official source on October 15, 2026.

Georgia programs at a glance

Georgia Dream Homeownership Program

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Standard: the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000. PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care workers, active military) and Choice (a household member with a disability): the lesser of 6% or $12,500. Paid as a deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments.

Fulton County Homeownership Program (HOP)

Fulton County Department of Community Development. Up to $25,000, based on need, for down payment and closing costs (the County also allows buy-down costs). It is a deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments, forgiven 20% per year over a five-year affordability period.

Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Programs (ATL HomeNOW and related incentives)

Invest Atlanta (City of Atlanta development authority). ATL HomeNOW provides up to $20,000 toward down payment and closing costs (it can also fund a permanent rate reduction), forgiven after you live in the home 10 years. Targeted incentives include up to $30,000 in the Beltline TAD (civil servants and legacy residents; $20,000 for other qualified buyers), $10,000 or $20,000 in the Perry Bolton TAD, $20,000 in Vine City, and $10,000 with a renovation mortgage.

Cobb County My Home Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program

Housing Authority of Cobb County. A non-repayable grant equal to 0%, 1% or 2% of your first mortgage amount, usable for down payment and closing costs. Qualifying full-time Cobb County Government employees can add a $10,000 grant, and qualifying City of Marietta employees can add $10,000 ($15,000 for Marietta public safety).

Gwinnett County Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program

Gwinnett County (HUD Programs). Up to $10,000 as a five-year deferred-payment loan. You don't repay it as long as you live in the home for the five years.

City of Savannah DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance

City of Savannah Housing Services Department. Up to $30,000 for most homes, or up to $50,000 for housing developed in partnership with the City; households between 80% and 120% of AMI may receive up to $10,000. DreamMaker is a 30-year deferred-payment loan (interest terms apply) that is repaid when you sell, refinance, move or default.

Augusta Housing & Community Development Homeownership Assistance Program

Augusta, GA Housing & Community Development Department (HCD). A deferred-payment loan toward your required down payment or closing costs. The City's web page says assistance won't exceed $5,000, while the Program Manual describes $1,000 to $10,000, forgiven over five years.

Sweet Home Columbus Down Payment Assistance

Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department. Up to $49,999, based on need, as a deferred loan that must go entirely toward the down payment. Assistance under $25,000 carries a five-year affordability period; $25,000 and up carries 10 years.

How we help you choose

1. Tell me where you want to buy and your household size and income.
2. I match you against every program on this page and the official limits.
3. You complete required homebuyer education while we get you preapproved.
4. We coordinate the assistance application with the administrator and close your loan.

Programs not listed right now

• DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance (Decide DeKalb Development Authority): Not yet open: official page says applications 'anticipated to open in Fall 2026'; only an interest/updates form is live. Official source
• Chatham County (county-run DPA) (n/a): No separate Chatham County government DPA program found. Chatham buyers use Georgia Dream; Savannah city-limits buyers use DreamMaker (both drafted). Official source

Frequently asked questions

What down payment assistance is available in Georgia?

As of October 15, 2026, we track 8 open programs in Georgia: Georgia Dream (up to $10,000 (Standard) or up to $12,500 (PEN/Choice)); Fulton County HOP (up to $25,000); Invest Atlanta (up to $20,000 (ATL HomeNOW), with targeted incentives up to $30,000); Cobb County My Home DPA (a grant of up to 2% of the loan amount (plus $10,000–$15,000 for eligible county/city employees)); Gwinnett Homestretch (up to $10,000); Savannah DreamMaker (up to $30,000 (up to $50,000 on City-partnered housing)); Augusta Homeownership Assistance ( $5,000 per web page / up to $10,000 per Program Manual); Sweet Home Columbus (up to $49,999).

Which Georgia programs work statewide?

Georgia Dream, run by Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Can I combine a Georgia state program with a local program?

Sometimes. Each local program sets its own rules on stacking with the state program, so we check both sets of guidelines against your file before you go under contract.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?

It depends on the program. Many require that you haven't owned a home in the last three years, but some are open to repeat buyers. Each program page shows the rule.

Does NorthStar Mortgage Advisors work with Georgia buyers?

Yes. NorthStar Mortgage Advisors is licensed in 35+ states, with offices in Georgia, Orlando FL, and Gulf Shores AL. Lender approval varies by program and is noted on each program page.

Are there Georgia programs you left off this page?

Yes, ones that are closed or not open to general buyers right now: DeKalb HomeStart Down Payment Assistance (Not yet open: official page says applications 'anticipated to open in Fall 2026'; only an interest/updates form is live.); Chatham County (county-run DPA) (No separate Chatham County government DPA program found. Chatham buyers use Georgia Dream; Savannah city-limits buyers use DreamMaker (both drafted).)

More down payment assistance

• Down payment assistance by state
• Florida programs
• Alabama programs
• North Carolina programs
• South Carolina programs
• Mississippi programs
• Texas programs

Sources

• Georgia Dream Homeownership Program
• Fulton County Homeownership Program (HOP)
• Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Programs (ATL HomeNOW and related incentives)
• Cobb County My Home Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program
• Gwinnett County Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program
• City of Savannah DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance
• Augusta Housing & Community Development Homeownership Assistance Program
• Sweet Home Columbus Down Payment Assistance

NorthStar Mortgage Advisors is a division of Canopy Mortgage, LLC. NMLS #1359687. 6588 Church Street, Douglasville, GA 30134. David Stallings, NMLS #157508. Equal Housing Opportunity. Down payment assistance programs are run by the government agencies and authorities named on this page, which set and can change their terms, limits, and funding at any time. Program details on this page were checked against official sources on the date shown and are not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit, income, property, and program approval. Verify licensing at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.