See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Arvada, CO (2026)
Arvada is the seventh-largest city in Colorado, sitting northwest of Denver in Jefferson County (with a small portion in Adams County). With a median home price near $625,000 — among the higher in the Denver metro — first-time buyers in Arvada lean heavily on stacked assistance. The metroDPA program offers up to 5% of the loan amount in deferred down payment assistance, and the Impact Development Fund Jefferson County FirstBank DPA can add up to $30,000 or 20% of the purchase price for buyers using FirstBank. Statewide, the CHFA Down Payment Assistance Grant provides up to $25,000 that never has to be repaid, and the CHFA FirstGeneration program offers another $25,000 in deferred assistance. Notably, CHAC raises its income limit to 100% of AMI in Arvada (vs. 80% elsewhere), making the program accessible to more buyers. Eligible buyers can also tap nonprofit programs including CRHDC NeighborhoodLIFT ($15,000 forgivable loan), Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (currently building 20 affordable homes at Griffith Station Homes in Arvada), Elevation Community Land Trust, and the Dearfield Fund (up to $40,000 for Black and African American first-time buyers). Stacking a CHFA grant with metroDPA and the IDF Jefferson County program can produce $40,000 to $70,000 in combined assistance for qualifying Arvada buyers.
City Programs in Arvada
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| metroDPA | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Colorado
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAC Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | $5,000 to $12,000 (6% of lesser of sale price or appraised value, capped at $12,000) | Yes | View → |
| CHFA Down Payment Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to lesser of $25,000 or 3% of first mortgage | No | View → |
| CHFA Down Payment Assistance Second Mortgage Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to lesser of $25,000 or 4% of first mortgage | No | View → |
| CHFA FirstGeneration | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 in deferred down payment assistance, paired with 30-year fixed first mortgage | Yes | View → |
| CHFA FirstStep | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate FHA first mortgage | Yes | View → |
| CHFA HomeAccess | Zero-Interest Loan | 30-year fixed first mortgage plus optional $25,000 second mortgage for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 to $12,000 (6% of lesser of sale price or appraised value, capped at $12,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to lesser of $25,000 or 3% of first mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to lesser of $25,000 or 4% of first mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000 in deferred down payment assistance, paired with 30-year fixed first mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate FHA first mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed first mortgage plus optional $25,000 second mortgage for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRHDC NeighborhoodLIFT | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 | No | View → |
| Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
| Elevation Community Land Trust | Government-Insured Mortgage | Permanently affordable below-market home purchase via 99-year ground lease | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage at approximately 30% of gross monthly income; sweat-equity ownership model | No | View → |
| Impact Development Fund Jefferson County FirstBank DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to 20% of contract purchase price or $30,000, whichever is less | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Permanently affordable below-market home purchase via 99-year ground lease
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage at approximately 30% of gross monthly income; sweat-equity ownership model
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of contract purchase price or $30,000, whichever is less
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Arvada buyers benefit from a unique CHAC income limit of up to 100% of Area Median Income (compared to 80% elsewhere). Most other programs require 80% AMI, while metroDPA allows incomes up to roughly $195,600 and the Dearfield Fund up to $150,000.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. CRHDC offers free in-person and online HUD-approved homebuyer classes ($75 online via eHome America). GreenPath Financial Wellness is another nonprofit option for HUD-certified counseling.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with a CHFA-participating lender. CHFA maintains a list of approved lenders that can layer state programs with regional DPA. Local options include On Tap Credit Union (Arvada-rooted) and Westerra Credit Union, which both partner with CHFA. The IDF Jefferson County DPA requires FirstBank as the primary lender.
Step 4: Identify your stack. Work with your lender to combine programs — for example, a CHFA first mortgage with metroDPA second, plus the Dearfield Fund or NeighborhoodLIFT if eligible. Each program has its own subordination rules.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Most state and county programs follow FHA conforming loan limits in Jefferson County, which exceed $700,000 for one-unit properties in 2026. With Arvada's median near $625,000, most homes fall within program limits but watch for higher-end neighborhoods.
Step 6: Submit your application. Funding is first-come, first-served and several programs cycle through funding annually. Verify funding status with each administering agency before counting on the assistance.
Step 7: Close on your home. Most DPA programs deliver funds at closing through your title company. Plan for 45-60 days from contract to close when stacking multiple assistance programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arvada?+−
Why is Arvada different for CHAC income limits?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price for Arvada programs?+−
Are there Habitat homes available in Arvada?+−
Can teachers, nurses, or first responders get extra help in Arvada?+−
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