See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fort Collins, CO (2026)
Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County and Colorado's fourth-largest city, with a population of about 170,000 and a median home price near $530,000 as of 2026. The City of Fort Collins ended its direct homebuyer loan program but now supports homebuyers through the EPIC (Employment-based Purchasing Initiative), administered by Impact Development Fund and using FirstBank as the primary mortgage lender. EPIC offers up to 20% of the contract purchase price or $30,000, whichever is less, for first-time buyers at or below 80% of Area Median Income. The Larimer Home Ownership Program (LHoP) layers up to $15,000 as a 1% interest second mortgage. CHFA stacks on top with up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of the loan as a DPA Grant (no repayment) or up to 4% as a deferred DPA Second Mortgage. Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity serves households earning 45-80% AMI through its sweat-equity ownership model. Neighbor to Neighbor (970-484-7498) is the area's primary HUD- and CHFA-approved counseling agency and provides the homebuyer education required for LHoP, USDA, CHFA, and EPIC. Combined, well-qualified Fort Collins buyers can access $40,000-$70,000 in stacked assistance.
City Programs in Fort Collins
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins EPIC (Employment-based Purchasing Initiative) | Deferred Loan | Up to 20% of the contract purchase price or $30,000, whichever is less | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of the contract purchase price or $30,000, whichever is less
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Larimer County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larimer Home Ownership Program (LHoP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Colorado
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAC Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Low-interest, flexible second mortgage for down payment and closing costs | 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 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Low-interest, flexible second mortgage for down payment and closing costs
- 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:
- 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat mortgage with sweat-equity ownership model | No | View → |
| Impact Development Fund Colorado Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies by program tier and borrower) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat mortgage with sweat-equity ownership model
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies by program tier and borrower)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Fort Collins programs serve households at or below 80% AMI for Larimer County. CHFA programs use county- and household-size-specific income limits, with HomeAccess capped at $174,440 statewide.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take the HUD- and CHFA-approved homebuyer education class through Neighbor to Neighbor at 970-484-7498 or 970-829-0296. The Neighbor to Neighbor class fulfills the education requirement for LHoP, USDA, CHFA, and EPIC. Certificates are valid 12 months.
Step 3: Connect with the right lender. EPIC specifically requires FirstBank as the primary mortgage lender. CHFA programs use a statewide approved-lender network. LHoP requires lender pre-qualification documentation and a $60 application fee. Habitat works directly with applicants.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will pull credit, document income, and identify which programs fit. The minimum credit score for most CHFA programs is 620. EPIC and LHoP use program-specific underwriting alongside the FirstBank or LHoP application.
Step 5: Find a home in Larimer County. EPIC requires the property be located in Fort Collins. LHoP works anywhere in Larimer County (including Loveland and Estes Park). Fort Collins Habitat homes are pre-selected.
Step 6: Submit your assistance application. For EPIC, work through FirstBank and Impact Development Fund. For LHoP, submit proof of income, family size, lender pre-qualification, and a $60 application fee to LHoP at 375 W. 37th Street, Suite 200, Loveland, CO 80538 (970-635-5931). For City of Fort Collins program questions, contact Tamra Leavenworth at tleavenworth@fcgov.com or 970-416-4366.
Step 7: Close on your home. Plan to occupy the property as your primary residence within 60 days of closing. LHoP requires 1% buyer contribution at closing.