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.
📚 Related Houston & Texas Guides
Meet Sarah
Senior Mortgage Advisor & VA Loan Specialist
Sarah Mitchell brings over 12 years of mortgage industry expertise, specializing in VA loans and first-time homebuyer programs. As a certified NMLS professional, she has helped thousands of veterans and military families achieve homeownership through specialized loan programs. Her deep understanding of VA benefits and down payment assistance programs makes her a trusted advisor for service members transitioning to civilian life.
EXPERTISE:
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Helped 2,500+ veterans secure home loans