Mortgage Navigator • Pennsylvania DPA

Pennsylvania down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.

A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in Pennsylvania, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.

Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260

Published Minimum FICO: Published minimum FICO is shown only where the administering agency currently publishes one. If a universal score is not established, Mortgage Navigator labels it product/program specific rather than inventing a number.

Quick comparison

ProgramPotential assistancePublished min. FICORepayment/ForgivenessBiggest catch
PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance LoanLesser of 4% of purchase price/market value or $6,0006600% second amortized over 10 yearsVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
PHFA K-FIT5% of lesser purchase price/appraised value; no dollar cap660Second mortgage forgiven 10% annually over 10 yearsVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
PHFA K-DATE8% if first-mortgage loan amount ≤$150,000; 5% if ≥$150,001; no dollar cap6600% 30-year deferred second, no monthly payments; due sale/refi/first payoffVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
PHFA Grant$500program specificGrant with eligible HFA Preferred first mortgageSmall grant; may be combinable with Keystone Advantage under current PHFA rules.
PHFA ACCESS Downpayment / Closing Cost AssistanceUp to $15,000program specific0% assistance loan under ACCESS disability programSpecial disability-focused assistance; must meet ACCESS program requirements.
PHFA Employer Assisted Housing enhancementUp to $8,000 Keystone Advantage assistance for eligible employees6600% Keystone Advantage second amortized over 10 yearsRequires employer participation; enhanced amount replaces the standard KAAL cap for eligible employees.
State program

PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan

PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan 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: 660

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

PHFA K-FIT

PHFA K-FIT 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: 660

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

PHFA K-DATE

PHFA K-DATE 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: 660

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

PHFA Grant

PHFA Grant 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: program specific

Biggest catch: Small grant; may be combinable with Keystone Advantage under current PHFA rules.
State program

PHFA ACCESS Downpayment / Closing Cost Assistance

PHFA ACCESS Downpayment / Closing Cost Assistance 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: program specific

Biggest catch: Special disability-focused assistance; must meet ACCESS program requirements.
State program

PHFA Employer Assisted Housing enhancement

PHFA Employer Assisted Housing enhancement 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: 660

Biggest catch: Requires employer participation; enhanced amount replaces the standard KAAL cap for eligible employees.

National programs Pennsylvania buyers should also check

National

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

Biggest catch: Compare first-mortgage pricing and DPA terms together.
National

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

Biggest catch: Current lender/program matrix controls.

Pennsylvania's biggest DPA lesson

Pennsylvania has multiple active PHFA assistance products. V25 inventories Keystone Advantage, K-FIT, new K-DATE, the PHFA grant, ACCESS disability assistance and the EAH enhancement. HOMEstead is not listed on PHFA’s current 2026 homebuyer purchase-assistance menu and is therefore not represented as active.

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Official sources