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Buying a home is exciting—but the upfront costs can be tough. The good news? There are grants designed to help with down payments, closing costs, and more. Unlike loans, grants typically don’t need to be repaid.
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1Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Grants
State and local housing agencies offer grants to cover part—sometimes all—of your down payment. Many are income-based; some target first-time buyers specifically.
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2NeighborhoodLIFT Program
A collaboration with NeighborWorks that provides grants in select cities to boost homeownership for low-to-moderate-income buyers. Availability is location-specific.
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3National Homebuyers Fund (NHF)
Offers assistance—often up to 5% of the loan amount—for down payment and closing costs. Available nationwide; some awards are grants that don’t require repayment.
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4Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMTs can receive home purchase discounts up to 50% in designated revitalization areas.
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5HomePath Ready Buyer (Fannie Mae)
First-time buyers who complete an education course may get closing cost assistance (up to 3%) when purchasing eligible Fannie Mae–owned properties.
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6State Housing Finance Authority (HFA) Grants
Every state’s HFA runs programs with grants or forgivable loans to help with down payments and closing costs, usually for first-time or income-qualified buyers.
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7Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
HUD funds distributed by local governments can include homebuyer assistance. Check your city or county housing department for details.
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8USDA Rural Development
For homes in eligible rural areas, USDA programs can include grants or subsidies that reduce upfront costs—great for buyers outside major metro areas.
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9VA Special Housing Grants
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for grants (e.g., Specially Adapted Housing) to purchase or adapt a home for accessibility.
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10Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) Grants
Some employers partner with housing agencies to offer down payment or closing cost grants. Ask HR if an EAH benefit exists.
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11Energy-Efficient Incentive Grants
Grants or rebates may be available when purchasing energy-efficient homes or bundling green upgrades at closing—check state and utility programs.
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12Local First-Time Homebuyer Grants
Cities and counties often offer grants (commonly $2,000–$15,000) to help with down payment and closing costs. Search your local housing office’s website.
To help you figure out how much you can comfortably spend each month before applying for grants, try using the Monthly Affordability Calculator on the HomeSearchNE site.