See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Lakewood, CO (2026)
Lakewood, Colorado is the largest city in Jefferson County and the fifth-largest city in the state, situated immediately west of Denver along the Front Range. With a median home price near $570,000, buying here takes planning, but Lakewood buyers can stack significant assistance from multiple sources. 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. 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 for qualifying first-generation buyers. Eligible buyers can also tap nonprofit programs like CRHDC NeighborhoodLIFT ($15,000 forgivable loan), Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, 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 a county-level program can produce $40,000 to $70,000 in combined assistance for qualifying Lakewood buyers.
City Programs in Lakewood
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program | Grant | Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied toward monthly mortgage payment instead of rent | Yes | View → |
| metroDPA | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied toward monthly mortgage payment instead of rent
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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. Lakewood buyers should target programs based on income — most programs require household income at or below 80% of Jefferson County AMI, while metroDPA allows incomes up to roughly $210,000 and the Dearfield Fund up to $150,000.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Most programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer course. Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation (CHAC) at 303-572-9445 and Foothills Regional Housing at 303-422-8600 are local options serving Jefferson County.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with a CHFA-participating lender. CHFA maintains a list of approved lenders that can layer state programs with local DPA. Programs like the IDF Jefferson County DPA require FirstBank as the primary lender, so confirm lender requirements before pre-approval.
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 have purchase price limits tied to FHA conforming limits in Jefferson County. Confirm the property meets program requirements before going under contract.
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 Lakewood?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Lakewood programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What programs are unique to Lakewood and Jefferson County?+−
Can teachers, nurses, or first responders get extra help in Lakewood?+−
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