Homebuyer Hub
Looking to purchase a home? The City of Houston administers multiple programs that can help you achieve the dream of homeownership, with various amounts of assistance and eligibility requirements. We encourage you to explore the available resources in more detail on the pages below.
Key Documents and Resources
Homebuyer Programs
Homebuyer Assistance Program 2.0
The City offers up to $125,000 to income-qualified applicants, providing down payment assistance, closing costs, principal reduction and interest rate reduction to help eligible first-time homebuyers purchase a home. HbAP 2.0 is specifically for residents who lived within the City of Houston’s jurisdiction on August 25, 2017, during Hurricane Harvey. Our goal is to make homeownership more affordable for those impacted by the hurricane, supporting their journey toward stability and recovery.
Program Requirements
To qualify for the Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program (HbAP 2.0), you must:
- Have lived in Houston on August 25, 2017, with a home address inside city limits. Use our mapping tool to check your eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (includes co-applicant and non-purchasing spouse)
- Be a first-time homebuyer or have lost your home due to Hurricane Harvey
- Complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course
- Qualify for a fixed-rate mortgage from a recognized lender
- Have a household income at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (Español) .
- Not be a registered sex offender
The assistance provided is a no-interest, forgivable loan secured by a lien on the property. The loan is fully forgiven if the homeowner resides in the home for the required compliance period, which is based on a tiered structure governed by the amount awarded. However, if the homeowner sells or moves out before the compliance period is complete, they will be required to repay a portion of the original loan amount to the City. Additionally, homeowners must maintain homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance (if applicable) on the property throughout the compliance period.
Affordable Home Development Program
- HCD is partnering with developers to build NEW, affordable, disaster-resilient, energy efficient homes throughout Houston!
- Affordable homes are reserved for program-qualified homebuyers and sold at a discount.
- Assistance is based on the homebuyer’s need.
- Household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI) (Español)
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the application, you will need to have done the following and be ready to upload your documentation:
- Household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
- Obtained a Pre-Approval Letter from your Lender.
- Must be dated within the last 120 days.
- Obtained an 8-Hour Homebuyer Education Certificate from a HUD-approved agency .
- Completed all required documents in the Homebuyer Checklist .
New Home Development Program
- HCD aims to provide newly constructed, affordable single-family homes for Low-to-Moderate Income Homebuyers.
- Properties are located in Acres Home, Settegast, Sunnyside, Fifth Ward, and Third Ward.
- Household income must be below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the application, you will need to have done the following and be ready to upload your documentation:
- Household Income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Must be a First-Time Homebuyer.
- Must be able to obtain a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for the home.
- Obtained a Pre-Approval Letter from your Lender.
- Must be dated within the last 120 days.
- Obtained an 8-Hour Homebuyer Education Certificate from a HUD-approved agency.
- Completed all required documents in the Homebuyer Checklist .
Additional Information
- Price Range: Sale prices range from $195,000 to $215,000.
- Average subsidy/assistance amount: Up to $50,000.
- Style of homes: Single-family dwellings.
- Number of affordable homes: All homes are affordable.
- Status: We are actively accepting applications on a first-come-first-served basis.
Homebuyer Assistance Program
- HCD aims to provide homeownership opportunities to Low-to-Moderate Income homebuyers by providing up to $50,000 in homebuyer assistance based on the household's financial need.
- Properties are located within the City of Houston's jurisdiction. Property must pay City of Houston taxes.
- Household income must be below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the application, you will need to have done the following and be ready to upload your documentation
- Household Income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Must be a First-Time Homebuyer.
- Must be able to obtain a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for the home.
- Obtained a Pre-Approval Letter from your Lender.
- Must be dated within the last 120 days.
- Obtained an 8-Hour Homebuyer Education Certificate from a HUD-approved agency.
- Find a home that is not tenant-occupied and located within the City of Houston jurisdiction .
- Completed all required documents in the Homebuyer Checklist .
Additional Information
- Price Range: There is no cap on the home being purchased as long as the home is affordable to the homebuyer. The buyer must have a front-end ratio of 33% or below and a back-end ratio of 45% or below.
- Average subsidy/assistance amount: Up to $50,000.
- Style of homes: Single-family dwellings.
- Number of affordable and/or market rate homes: All homes are a combination of affordable and market rate homes.
- Status: We are actively accepting applications on a first-come-first-served basis.
Community Housing Development Organizations
The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) is dedicated to enhancing and expanding the availability of affordable homes in Houston's neighborhoods. We aim to provide opportunities for low to moderate-income households whose income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to become homeowners. The Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) Single-Family Home Development Program serves several vital purposes.
- It aims to develop and promote high-quality, sustainable Energy Star-certified affordable single-family homes.
- It strives to maximize available resources by collaborating with community developers to offer a broader range of affordable housing options.
- The program provides homebuyer assistance through CHDOs and extends homeownership opportunities to families earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the application, you will need to have done the following and be ready to upload your documentation:
- Household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) (Español) .
- Obtained a Pre-Approval Letter from your Lender.
- Must be dated within the last 120 days.
- Obtained an 8-Hour Homebuyer Education Certificate from a HUD-approved agency.
- Completed all required documents in the Homebuyer Checklist .
Additional Information
- Overall Price Range: HCD has recommended a sale price range of $227,000 in the Settegast Neighborhood, comparable to independent market sales analysis and within the maximum sales price allowed by HOME requirements.
- Average subsidy/assistance amount: Subsidy is based on the applicant's financial need.
- Style of homes: The single-family homes are three-bedroom and four-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family homes with front-load garages. The square footage of the homes is approximately between 1300 and 1800 sq ft. The designs of each home include Energy Star Certification and implemented Fortified Homes Hurricane Standards, sustainable landscaping, and may include up to a $15,000 value of resiliency enhancements contributed or added through other grant funds.
- Number of affordable and/or market rate homes (if applicable): Affordable single-family homes are forthcoming in the Settegast, Acres Homes, Third Ward, and South Union communities under the CHDO Program.
- Status: Interested homebuyers must apply to determine eligibility for CHDO Program participation. The eligibility process will begin through the participating CHDO, and HCD will handle the determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I put a home under contract? - Answer
A: Due to the review period, the City of Houston recommends you DO NOT put a home under contract until you have received a pre-approval letter. Putting a home under contract before receiving a pre-approval letter may put you at risk of losing earnest money.
Q: How long is the application process? - Answer
A: The application process takes about six weeks, provided there are no external delays. Please note that the six weeks is measured from the time the applicant submits a complete application. We cannot begin work on an incomplete application.
Q: Are there credit score requirements? - Answer
A: No, the City of Houston will not ask or require your credit scores for any of our down payment assistance programs.
Q: Is there a maximum home price? - Answer
A: No. The buyer can select any home that fits their needs and budget.
Q: Am I limited to a certain property type? - Answer
A. Please consult the program guidelines and website for further information on how on allowable property types and minimum property standards.
Q: What if I have to sell my home or move? - Answer
A: Please consult the program guidelines and website for further information if you have to sell your home or move.
