First Time Home Buyer Programs
Houston TX 2026: Up to $40K Free
Houston first-time buyers in 2026 can stack City of Houston HAP ($30K), TDHCA My First Texas Home (5%), and Harris County DPA ($20K) for up to $40,000+ in free down payment assistance. Median home price: $310,000 — one of the most affordable major metros in the US.
$310K
Median home price
$40K+
Max DPA available
6
Programs to stack
⚡ Quick Answer: Houston First-Time Buyer Programs 2026
The 3 best programs to stack in Houston are:
- 1. City of Houston HAP — Up to $30,000 forgivable (5-yr forgiveness, income <80% AMI)
- 2. TDHCA My First Texas Home — Up to 5% DPA (~$15,500 on median Houston home), income <$111K
- 3. Harris County DPA — Up to $20,000 additional assistance, income <80% AMI
Combined max: $40K+ — on a $310K median Houston home, FHA 3.5% down is only $10,850. These programs cover it completely.
🏠 All Houston First-Time Buyer Programs 2026
| Program | Amount | Type | Income Limit | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 BEST GRANTCity of Houston HAP | Up to $30,000 | Forgivable Grant | ~$63K (80% AMI) | 580+ |
| 💎 STATE PROGRAMTDHCA My First Texas Home | Up to 5% of loan | DPA (3yr forgive) | $97K-$111K | 620+ |
| 🏛️ COUNTY PROGRAMHarris County DPA | Up to $20,000 | Forgivable Loan | 80% AMI | 620+ |
| ⭐ NO FTB REQUIREDTSAHC Home Sweet Texas | Up to 5% | Grant or DPA | $97K-$111K | 620+ |
| 🎖️ VETERANSVA Loan (Veterans) | 0% Down | Zero Down Mortgage | None | No minimum |
| 🌾 RURAL/SUBURBANUSDA Loan (Suburban) | 0% Down | Zero Down Mortgage | $110,650 | 640+ |
💰 Program Deep Dives
City of Houston Housing Assistance Program (HAP)
Max Amount
$30,000
Repayment
FORGIVEN (5yr)
Income Limit
80% AMI (~$63K)
HAP gives up to $30,000 as a 5-year forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs — if you stay in the home 5 years, you owe $0. Must buy within Houston city limits. Administered through Houston's Housing and Community Development Department.
TDHCA My First Texas Home
DPA Amount
Up to 5%
Forgiveness
3 years
Harris County Income
$97K / $111K
TDHCA's flagship program provides a second lien equal to up to 5% of the loan amount at 0% interest, forgiven after 3 years. Works with FHA (3.5% down) and conventional (3% down) loans. Income limit in Harris County: $97,000 (1-2 people) / $111,000 (3+ people).
Harris County Community Services DPA
Max Amount
$20,000
Loan Type
0% forgivable
Coverage Area
Harris County (unincorporated)
Harris County provides up to $20,000 in down payment assistance for homes in unincorporated Harris County (areas outside Houston city limits, like Katy, Humble, Pasadena, La Marque). Must be first-time buyer, income under 80% AMI, purchase price under $300,000.
Check Harris County Eligibility →Match with a Houston-Approved DPA Lender in 60 Seconds
Not all lenders know how to stack HAP + TDHCA + Harris County DPA. A Houston-approved lender can maximize your free money. Soft pull only — no SSN needed.
Soft pull only • No obligation • HAP + TDHCA approved lenders
📍 Houston-Area Neighborhoods: Program Eligibility by Zip
| Area | County | Median Price | USDA | City HAP | TDHCA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearland | Brazoria | $285,000 | ✓ Outer areas | ✓ | ✓ |
| Katy (Inner) | Harris | $295,000 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spring / The Woodlands | Harris/Montgomery | $265,000 | ✓ Outer areas | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sugar Land | Fort Bend | $350,000 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| East Houston / Galena Park | Harris | $210,000 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alief / Westheimer | Harris | $195,000 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Conroe | Montgomery | $255,000 | ✓ Outer areas | ✗ | ✓ |
| Baytown | Harris | $215,000 | ✓ Some areas | ✓ | ✓ |
* City of Houston HAP requires purchase within Houston city limits (most zip codes 77001-77099). Outer suburbs use Harris County DPA instead.
📋 How to Apply for Houston First-Time Buyer Programs (Step-by-Step)
Complete Homebuyer Education
Take an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course online ($25-$99). Required for HAP, TDHCA, and Harris County programs. Certificate is valid for 1-2 years. Go to eHome America or Framework online.
Check Your Income vs. AMI Limits
Calculate your household gross income (all adults in home). For City HAP: must be under 80% AMI (~$63K for family of 4). For TDHCA: under $97K-$111K. For Harris County DPA: under 80% AMI.
Pull Your Credit Report
HAP minimum: 580. TDHCA minimum: 620. Harris County: 620. Pull free report at AnnualCreditReport.com. If under 620, spend 60-90 days improving: pay down credit cards to under 30% utilization, dispute errors.
Find an Approved Lender
Not all lenders participate. For City HAP: contact Houston Housing & Community Development (713-868-8300). For TDHCA: use TDHCA lender search tool. For Harris County: call (713) 578-2000. Use a single lender who is approved for ALL programs to stack them.
Get Pre-Approved and Identify Programs
Your lender will run numbers to see which programs you qualify for and how to stack them. With pre-approval in hand, you know your max purchase price including the stacked assistance.
Find a Home and Close
Work with a buyer's agent. City HAP requires home to be within city limits. TDHCA: purchase price under $766,550. Timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer to close with DPA.
🎖️ VA Loans in Houston: $0 Down for Veterans
Texas has the 3rd largest veteran population in the US. Houston has major bases nearby (Fort Cavazos, NAS JRB Fort Worth) and a huge veteran community. VA loans offer:
0%
Down payment required
No PMI
No mortgage insurance
0.5%
Lower rate vs conventional
❓ Houston First-Time Buyer FAQ
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Houston TX 2026?
What is the income limit for Houston first-time home buyer programs?
What is the City of Houston HAP program?
What is the median home price in Houston in 2026?
Can I buy a house in Houston with no down payment?
What neighborhoods in Houston are best for first-time buyers?
🏠 Ready to Buy Your First Home in Houston?
A Houston-approved lender can stack HAP + TDHCA + Harris County DPA for up to $40K+ free. Most Houston buyers need only $500-$2,000 out of pocket after stacking programs.
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