See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Little Rock, AR (2026)
Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas and the seat of Pulaski County, is a growing metro with a median home price around $247,000 — well below the national average. Homebuyers in Little Rock can access several layers of assistance, including the City of Little Rock Down Payment Assistance Program offering up to $5,000 as a forgivable loan, the Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders program providing up to $12,000 in forgivable assistance, and the University District Development Corporation program with up to $20,000 for eligible buyers. At the state level, ADFA offers $1,000 to $15,000 in down payment assistance and the ADDI program provides up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. By stacking local and state programs, qualified buyers could potentially access over $25,000 in combined assistance.
City Programs in Little Rock
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Little Rock Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 6% of the purchase price, not to exceed $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of the purchase price, not to exceed $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Arkansas
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program | Repayable Loan | $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| ADFA Move-Up Loan Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates | No | View → |
| ADFA StartSmart First-Time Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market interest rate (approximately 1% below market rate) on a 30-year fixed mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) | Forgivable Loan | Up to 10% of the sale price, not to exceed $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate (approximately 1% below market rate) on a 30-year fixed mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 10% of the sale price, not to exceed $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- 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
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage and reduced purchase price | No | View → |
| Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $12,000 | No | View → |
| University District Development Corporation First-Time Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage and reduced purchase price
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $12,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Pulaski County. Some programs like the ADFA Move-Up loan allow income up to $142,000. Review each program's specific requirements.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact Southern Bancorp Community Partners for HUD-approved homebuyer counseling, or reach out to the Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless (CATCH), a HUD-approved counseling agency in Little Rock. The ADDI program requires 8 hours of counseling.
Step 3: Contact the City of Little Rock Housing and Neighborhood Programs at 501-371-6825 to check the current status and availability of the city's down payment assistance program.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. For state programs, work with an ADFA-approved lender who can package the StartSmart or Move-Up first mortgage with $1,000 to $15,000 in DPA. For the Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders program, contact Southern Bancorp Community Partners directly.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The ADFA StartSmart program has a $500,000 purchase price limit. The city DPA program requires the home to be within Little Rock city limits. The UDDC program is limited to homes within the University District.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Work with your lender and housing counselor to submit applications for all programs you qualify for. Processing times vary, so apply early in your homebuying process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Little Rock?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Little Rock?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What credit score do I need to buy a home in Little Rock with assistance?+−
Is the City of Little Rock DPA program currently accepting applications?+−
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