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Houston buyers have more down payment help to choose from than almost anywhere in Texas: City of Houston programs of up to $75,000 or more, up to $40,000 from Harris County for homes outside city limits, and statewide TSAHC and TDHCA programs.
Which one fits depends mostly on where the house is (inside Houston city limits, unincorporated Harris County, or elsewhere), your household income, and whether you're a first-time buyer.
★ Houston, Texas| Program | Assistance | Where & who |
|---|---|---|
| City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) | Up to $75,000 | First-time buyers under 80% AMI, inside Houston city limits. New applications without pre-approval are currently on hold. |
| City of Houston Harvey Homebuyer Assistance (HbAP 2.0) | Up to $125,000, 0% forgivable loan | Buyers at or below 120% AMI who lived in Houston city limits on August 25, 2017 and are first-time buyers or lost a home in Hurricane Harvey |
| City of Houston New Home Development Program | Up to $50,000 | New homes in Acres Home, Settegast, Sunnyside, Fifth Ward, and Third Ward, priced about $195,000–$215,000, for buyers under 80% AMI |
| Harris County Down Payment Assistance (DAP) | Up to $40,000 | First-time buyers in unincorporated Harris County (not inside Houston or other cities), 580+ credit, price up to $285,000 existing / $296,000 new |
| Montgomery County DPA (Easter Seals Greater Houston) | Up to $12,600 | First-time buyers under 80% AMI in unincorporated Montgomery County, outside Conroe city limits |
| TSAHC & TDHCA (statewide) | Grant or deferred second, often 3–5% of the loan | Buyers anywhere in the Houston area who meet income limits, including Katy, Pearland, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands |
Details as published by the City of Houston, Harris County, and Easter Seals Greater Houston as of September 2026. Local funding opens and pauses often, so confirm availability before you write an offer.
Up to $75,000 for first-time buyers with household income below 80% AMI, buying inside Houston city limits and able to qualify for a 30-year fixed mortgage.
The City has put applications without a pre-approval on hold, so check current status before counting on it.
Up to $125,000 for down payment, closing costs, principal reduction, and rate buydowns, as a 0% deferred loan that's forgiven after 5, 8, or 10 years depending on the amount.
You must have lived inside Houston city limits on August 25, 2017, and be a first-time buyer or have lost a home in Harvey. It can be paired with FHA or conventional financing.
Up to $50,000 toward new homes in five Houston neighborhoods (Acres Home, Settegast, Sunnyside, Fifth Ward, Third Ward), for first-time buyers under 80% AMI.
A home inside Houston city limits, a HUD-approved homebuyer education course, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and a fixed-rate first mortgage.
If the home is outside Houston city limits but inside Harris County (for example, in Spring, Cypress, Atascocita, or Channelview, which are unincorporated), Harris County's program may fit better. The County raised its maximum award to $40,000 effective November 18, 2025.
City of Houston programs go up to $75,000 (HAP) and up to $125,000 for eligible Harvey-affected residents (HbAP 2.0). Harris County offers up to $40,000 outside city limits.
No. Harris County's program is for unincorporated areas only. Inside Houston city limits, look at the City's programs and the state programs.
TSAHC and TDHCA work across the whole region. Unincorporated Montgomery County also has its own program of up to $12,600.
Most do. City programs require a fixed-rate first mortgage, and Harris County and Montgomery County accept FHA, conventional, VA, or USDA loans.
Send me the area or address you're looking at. I'll check city and county lines, income limits, and price caps, then compare the programs you qualify for.