Texas down payment assistance, without guessing.
Statewide programs, profession-based help, city programs and national options—organized around who qualifies, how much help is available and what has to be repaid.
Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260
Quick comparison
| Program | Who it's for | Potential help | Big thing to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSAHC Home Sweet Texas | Low/moderate-income Texas buyers | Up to 5% of loan amount | Grant or 3-year forgivable second, depending on loan/product. |
| TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes | Eligible teachers, police, firefighters, EMS, corrections, veterans/military and other defined heroes | Up to 5% | Occupation and income rules apply; MCC can be especially valuable for eligible first-time buyers. |
| TDHCA My First Texas Home | First-time buyers / qualified veterans | Up to 5% | 620 minimum score; county income and purchase-price limits. |
| TDHCA My Choice Texas Home | First-time and repeat buyers | Up to 5% | 620 minimum score; generally broader income limits than My First Texas Home. |
| Austin DPA | Income-eligible first-time buyers in Austin | Up to $40,000 | Home price cap and city-limit requirements. |
| Houston HAP | Income-qualified first-time buyers in Houston | Up to $75,000 | 0% forgivable lien; five-year occupancy requirement. |
| National Homebuyers Fund | Multi-state buyers | Up to 5% | Repayment/forgiveness depends on the specific option. |
| Chenoa Fund | Eligible buyers using approved partners | 3.5% or 5% FHA DPA | No income limits; 600 minimum score per current program info. |
TSAHC Home Sweet Texas
The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers Home Sweet Texas for qualifying low- and moderate-income homebuyers. TSAHC's current program information describes 30-year fixed-rate mortgages paired with down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount.
Current TSAHC guidance says government loans generally require at least a 620 FICO, while conventional forgivable-second options generally require at least 640. Income limits apply.
TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes
Homes for Texas Heroes uses the TSAHC home-loan/DPA framework for eligible professions. TSAHC identifies eligible groups including public-school teachers and certain school employees, police/corrections officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, veterans and military members, plus other occupations defined in current program rules.
Qualifying borrowers must meet TSAHC income and credit standards. The DPA can be paired with a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) for eligible first-time buyers. TSAHC notes that approved participating lenders are required to access its assistance.
TDHCA My First Texas Home
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) describes My First Texas Home as a 30-year low-interest mortgage program with up to 5% down payment and closing-cost assistance for first-time homebuyers and qualified veterans.
Current program material lists a 620 minimum credit score, county-based income and purchase-price limits, use of a TDHCA-approved loan officer, and required homebuyer education. Certain targeted-area and qualified-veteran exceptions to the first-time-buyer requirement may apply.
TDHCA My Choice Texas Home
My Choice Texas Home is TDHCA's option for buyers who do not need to be first-time homebuyers. TDHCA says the program offers competitive 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with up to 5% assistance for down payment and closing costs.
Current TDHCA materials list a 620 minimum credit score and note that My Choice generally has higher income limits than My First Texas Home. Homebuyer education and use of a participating/approved loan officer are required.
Local Texas programs can be much larger
Texas is a great example of why Mortgage Navigator should not stop at statewide programs. City assistance can be materially larger than statewide DPA—but it usually comes with tighter geography, income, property and occupancy requirements.
City of Austin Down Payment Assistance
Austin Housing currently says income-eligible first-time homebuyers may qualify for up to $40,000 toward down payment and closing costs, including certain prepaid expenses. The buyer must purchase an eligible single-family home or condominium within Austin's Full Purpose city limits.
The current published sales-price cap is $440,000, and homebuyer education is required.
City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program
Houston currently advertises up to $75,000 in assistance for income-qualified first-time buyers purchasing a property that pays City of Houston taxes. Household income generally must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
The assistance is a no-interest forgivable loan secured by a lien. Houston says the loan is fulfilled if the buyer lives in the home for five years. Selling or moving out before the end of that period can trigger repayment of a portion of the original assistance.
The City also requires an approved 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, an eligible pre-approval and an eight-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education certificate.
Texas Bootstrap Loan Program
This is not traditional DPA, but it belongs in a complete Texas affordability guide. TDHCA's Bootstrap Program helps qualifying low-income “owner-builders” purchase or refinance real property to build or repair housing by contributing substantial labor themselves.
TDHCA currently lists a maximum Bootstrap loan of $45,000 at 0% interest for a term of up to 30 years, with household income generally not exceeding 80% of the applicable area median family income. Participants are required to provide at least 65% of the labor through an approved administrator or self-help center.
National programs Texas buyers should also check
National Homebuyers Fund (NHF)
NHF reports assistance of up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount in most states through participating lenders, without a universal first-time-homebuyer requirement. Depending on the specific option, assistance may be forgivable or repayable.
Chenoa Fund
CBC Mortgage Agency currently says Chenoa Fund is available in Texas through approved lender partners. Its FHA DPA offers 3.5% or 5%, does not require first-time-buyer status, has no income limits, and currently lists a minimum credit score of 600.
Chenoa offers both forgivable and repayable second-mortgage structures. CBC currently describes the repayable option as a 10-year term with an interest rate 1% above the first mortgage, while the forgivable option is structured differently.
Texas DPA: the biggest mistake to avoid
Don't ask only, “Which program gives me the most money?” A $40,000 or $75,000 local program may come with very different income, geographic and occupancy restrictions than a 3% or 5% statewide program. The best comparison is cash to close + monthly payment + repayment terms + future flexibility + actual eligibility.
Let Josh narrow this down by city, county and loan type.
Tell me where you're buying, approximate price, credit range and how much you have for closing. That makes it much easier to compare statewide, local and national options.
Official sources & update policy
This guide prioritizes official state agencies, program administrators and city housing departments. DPA must be rechecked for current funding, rates and lender participation before a borrower relies on it.