Delaware down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.
A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in Delaware, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.
Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260
Quick comparison
| Program | Potential assistance | Published min. FICO | Repayment/Forgiveness | Biggest catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSHA First State | 3% of first-mortgage amount | product/program specific | 0% deferred second mortgage | Due on refinance, sale, title transfer or loss of primary occupancy under current DSHA terms. |
| DSHA Keys4You | 4% of first-mortgage amount | product/program specific | 0% deferred second mortgage | Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program. |
| DSHA Take5 | 5% of first-mortgage amount | product/program specific | 0% deferred second mortgage | Take5 is tied to the first-time-buyer Welcome Home track. |
| DSHA Diamond in the Rough | 5% DPA with eligible FHA 203(k) Limited execution | product/program specific | 0% deferred second mortgage paired with renovation first mortgage | Renovation/property rules apply; not a general-purpose 5% DPA option. |
DSHA First State
DSHA First State is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: product/program specific
DSHA Keys4You
DSHA Keys4You is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: product/program specific
DSHA Take5
DSHA Take5 is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: product/program specific
DSHA Diamond in the Rough
DSHA Diamond in the Rough is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: product/program specific
National programs Delaware buyers should also check
National Homebuyers Fund
NHF multi-state assistance may be available through participating lenders. Current lender/product terms control credit, pricing, assistance and repayment or forgiveness.
Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific
Chenoa Fund
Chenoa Fund provides FHA down-payment assistance through approved lender partners. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.
Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific
Delaware's biggest DPA lesson
Delaware’s 2026 rebrand created a menu of distinct DPA executions. V25 now inventories First State, Keys4You, Take5 and Diamond in the Rough instead of collapsing Delaware into one generic mortgage-program card.
Let Josh compare the available programs.
Send the city/ZIP, purchase price, credit range, household income and first-time-buyer status.