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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Jacksonville, AR (2026)

Population: 29,094 | Median home price: $179,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,500 - $5,500

Skyline of Jacksonville, AR

Jacksonville is a growing community in Pulaski County just northeast of Little Rock, with a median home price around $179,000. Buyers here benefit from the city's own Homebuyers Assistance Grant (HAG), which provides up to $3,000 to cover closing costs. On top of that, the ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program offers $1,000 to $15,000, and the Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) provides up to 10% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, capped at $10,000. Nonprofit options include the Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program with up to $12,000 in forgivable loans and the Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas homeownership program. By stacking local, state, and federal programs, Jacksonville buyers can potentially access over $30,000 in combined assistance.

City Programs in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Homebuyers Assistance Grant (HAG)
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $3,000 (50% of out-of-pocket closing costs)
First-time only:
No

State Programs in Arkansas

ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
$1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
ADFA Move-Up Loan Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates
First-time only:
No
ADFA StartSmart First-Time Homebuyer Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Below-market interest rate (approximately 1% below market rate) on a 30-year fixed mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to 10% of the sale price, not to exceed $10,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
First-time only:
No
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:
No
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:
No
HUD $100 Down Program
Type:
FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
Amount:
Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
First-time only:
No
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
First-time only:
No

Nonprofit Programs

Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage and reduced purchase price
First-time only:
No
People Trust Community Loan Fund Homebuyer Assistance
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
First-time homebuyer assistance loans (amounts vary)
First-time only:
Yes
Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $12,000
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Pulaski County under both the Jacksonville HAG program (Federal Income Guidelines) and ADFA programs (Area Median Income thresholds).

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Contact the Arkansas Development Finance Authority at (501) 682-5900 for approved providers, or reach out to Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas at (501) 251-6757 for their homebuyer education courses.

Step 3: Apply for the Jacksonville Homebuyers Assistance Grant. Contact the City of Jacksonville Community Development Department. The HAG covers 50% of your out-of-pocket closing costs up to $3,000, and the property must meet HUD Minimum Housing Quality Standards.

Step 4: Get pre-approved through an ADFA-approved lender. ADFA participating lenders can originate StartSmart and Move-Up loans with DPA, allowing you to stack state assistance on top of the city grant.

Step 5: Find a home within Jacksonville city limits. The HAG requires the property to be within city limits. Ensure it also meets any ADFA purchase price limits for Pulaski County.

Step 6: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the ADFA DPA application with your mortgage, and the city grant is paid directly to the title company at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Jacksonville?+
Jacksonville buyers can stack multiple programs: the city Homebuyers Assistance Grant (HAG) provides up to $3,000, the ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program offers $1,000 to $15,000, the Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) provides up to 10% of the sale price (max $10,000) as a forgivable loan, and the Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program offers up to $12,000 in forgivable loans. Combined with federal options like FHA (3.5% down) or VA (0% down), total assistance can exceed $30,000.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Requirements vary by program. The ADFA StartSmart program and ADDI require first-time buyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). However, the Jacksonville HAG does not appear to require first-time buyer status, and the ADFA Move-Up Loan is available to repeat buyers. FHA and VA loans also have no first-time buyer requirement.
What does the Jacksonville Homebuyers Assistance Grant cover?+
The HAG pays 50% of your out-of-pocket expenses at closing, up to $3,000. The grant is paid directly to the title company. To qualify, the property must be within Jacksonville city limits, meet HUD Minimum Housing Quality Standards, and your household must meet Federal Income Guidelines.
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+
The Jacksonville HAG does not publicly list a purchase price cap, but the property must meet HUD standards. ADFA programs have county-specific purchase price limits that are updated periodically. At the median price of $179,000, most Jacksonville homes fall well within typical program limits. Contact ADFA at (501) 682-5900 for current Pulaski County limits.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most state programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas offers homebuyer education and can be reached at (501) 251-6757. You can also find HUD-approved counseling agencies by calling 1-800-569-4287.

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