Texas Down Payment Assistance Programs
Down payment assistance in Texas comes from the state housing finance agency and from city and county programs. The statewide options are My First Texas Home, Homes for Texas Heroes, and Home Sweet Texas. Local programs include San Antonio HIP, Dallas DHAP, Austin DPA, and Fort Worth HAP. I’m David Stallings with NorthStar Mortgage Advisors, and my team helps Texas buyers figure out which programs they qualify for and how to stack them with the right first mortgage. I serve Texas buyers from my Georgia, Orlando FL, and Gulf Shores AL offices.
Last updated October 15, 2026. Every program below was checked against its official source on October 15, 2026.
Texas programs at a glance
| Program | Administrator | Area | Assistance | NorthStar lender status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My First Texas Home | Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) | Statewide, Texas | 2%–5% of the loan amount | Listed |
| Homes for Texas Heroes | Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) | Statewide, Texas | up to 5% of the loan amount | Not yet confirmed |
| Home Sweet Texas | Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) | Statewide, Texas | up to 5% of the loan amount | Not yet confirmed |
| San Antonio HIP | City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) | San Antonio city limits, TX | up to $30,000 (HIP 80) or $15,000 (HIP 120) | Not yet confirmed |
| Dallas DHAP | City of Dallas, administered by Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas | City of Dallas, TX | up to $50,000 (up to $60,000 in High Opportunity Areas) | Not yet confirmed |
| Austin DPA | Austin Housing (City of Austin / Austin Housing Finance Corporation) | City of Austin, TX (Full Purpose limits per program FAQ) | up to $40,000 | Not yet confirmed |
| Fort Worth HAP | City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services | Fort Worth city limits, TX | up to $25,000 | Not yet confirmed |
TDHCA My First Texas Home
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Down payment assistance of 2% to 5% of the total loan amount, funding permitting, as either a 30-year deferred repayable second lien or a 3-year deferred second lien that's forgivable after 36 months. TDHCA also lists local gift-fund add-ons in certain counties.
TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). Down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount, as either a grant that never has to be repaid or a second lien that's fully forgiven after three years if you don't sell, refinance, or move out. First-time buyers may also qualify for a Mortgage Credit Certificate.
TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). Down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount, as either a grant that never has to be repaid or a second lien that's fully forgiven after three years if you don't sell, refinance, or move out.
City of San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80 and HIP 120)
City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD). HIP 80 provides $1,000 to $30,000 and HIP 120 provides $1,000 to $15,000, both as no-payment second loans. HIP 80 is fully forgiven over 5 years (amounts up to $15,000) or 10 years (above $15,000). HIP 120 forgives 75% over 10 years; 25% stays due.
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)
City of Dallas, administered by Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas. Up to $50,000, or up to $60,000 in a High Opportunity Area, as a deferred, forgivable second lien with no monthly payments. The affordability period is 5 years under $25,000, 10 years for $25,000–$50,000, and 15 years above $50,000.
Austin Housing Down Payment Assistance Program
Austin Housing (City of Austin / Austin Housing Finance Corporation). Up to $40,000 toward down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses. The sales price can't exceed $440,000. Structure depends on the amount (smaller amounts forgivable, larger amounts shared-equity).
City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services. Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs with no payments. Live in the home 5 years for amounts up to $14,999, or 10 years for up to $25,000, and it's forgiven.
How we help you choose
- Tell me where you want to buy and your household size and income.
- I match you against every program on this page and the official limits.
- You complete required homebuyer education while we get you preapproved.
- We coordinate the assistance application with the administrator and close your loan.
Programs not listed right now
- City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) (City of Houston HCD): Unfunded: City page says 'Due to the exhaustion of available program funds, we are no longer accepting or processing additional applications at this time.' Official source
- Houston Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program 2.0 (HbAP 2.0) (City of Houston HCD): Covered by the same HCD funding-exhaustion notice; limited to Harvey-impacted households. Official source
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Texas?
As of October 15, 2026, we track 7 open programs in Texas: My First Texas Home (2%–5% of the loan amount); Homes for Texas Heroes (up to 5% of the loan amount); Home Sweet Texas (up to 5% of the loan amount); San Antonio HIP (up to $30,000 (HIP 80) or $15,000 (HIP 120)); Dallas DHAP (up to $50,000 (up to $60,000 in High Opportunity Areas)); Austin DPA (up to $40,000); Fort Worth HAP (up to $25,000).
Which Texas programs work statewide?
My First Texas Home, run by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA); Homes for Texas Heroes, run by Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC); Home Sweet Texas, run by Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC).
Can I combine a Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas programs you left off this page?
Yes, ones that are closed or not open to general buyers right now: City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) (Unfunded: City page says 'Due to the exhaustion of available program funds, we are no longer accepting or processing additional applications at this time.'); Houston Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program 2.0 (HbAP 2.0) (Covered by the same HCD funding-exhaustion notice; limited to Harvey-impacted households.)
More down payment assistance
- Down payment assistance by state
- Georgia programs
- Florida programs
- Alabama programs
- North Carolina programs
- South Carolina programs
- Mississippi programs
Sources
- TDHCA My First Texas Home
- TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program
- TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program
- City of San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80 and HIP 120)
- Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)
- Austin Housing Down Payment Assistance Program
- City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
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.