See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 23, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Atlanta, GA (2026)

Population: 500,000 | Median home price: $385,000 | Est. closing costs: $7,500 - $11,500

Atlanta is Georgia's capital and largest city, a major economic hub in the Southeast known for its diverse neighborhoods, booming tech scene, and rich cultural heritage. With a median home price around $385,000, Atlanta offers one of the strongest lineups of homebuyer assistance programs in the country. The Atlanta Housing DPA Program provides up to $20,000 in forgivable assistance ($25,000 for public service workers and veterans), while Invest Atlanta's HOME Atlanta 4.0 adds a 3.5% grant on FHA or VA loans. The Fulton County Homeownership Program offers up to $22,500 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance. At the state level, the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest deferred assistance ($12,500 for educators, nurses, and protectors), and the newer Georgia Dream Peach Plus and Peach Advantage programs extend eligibility even to non-first-time buyers. ANDP and National Faith Homebuyers add $5,000 to $20,000 in additional nonprofit assistance. By stacking these city, county, state, and federal programs, Atlanta buyers can potentially access over $50,000 in combined assistance.

City Programs in Atlanta

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Atlanta Housing Down Payment Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $20,000; up to $25,000 for public safety, healthcare, education, military/veteran, and Housing Choice Voucher participants	Yes	View →
Invest Atlanta HOME Atlanta 4.0	Grant	3.5% grant toward down payment and closing costs on FHA or VA mortgage ($5,000 standard; $7,500 for PEN/CHOICE qualifying buyers)	No	View →

Atlanta Housing Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000; up to $25,000 for public safety, healthcare, education, military/veteran, and Housing Choice Voucher participants
First-time only:: Yes

Invest Atlanta HOME Atlanta 4.0

Type:: Grant
Amount:: 3.5% grant toward down payment and closing costs on FHA or VA mortgage ($5,000 standard; $7,500 for PEN/CHOICE qualifying buyers)
First-time only:: No

County Programs in Fulton County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Fulton County Homeownership Program (HOP)	Forgivable Loan	Up to 7.5% of sales price, not to exceed $22,500, for down payment, closing costs, and interest rate buydown assistance	Yes	View →

Fulton County Homeownership Program (HOP)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to 7.5% of sales price, not to exceed $22,500, for down payment, closing costs, and interest rate buydown assistance
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Georgia

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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+	Grant	Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs	No	View →
Georgia Dream Homeownership Program	Deferred Loan	5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 6% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers	Yes	View →
Georgia Dream Peach Advantage Program	Deferred Loan	2% to 5% of purchase price in down payment assistance, or 0% DPA option with a reduced first mortgage interest rate	No	View →
Georgia Dream Peach Plus Program	Deferred Loan	3.5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 4% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers	No	View →

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

Georgia Dream Homeownership Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: 5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 6% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers
First-time only:: Yes

Georgia Dream Peach Advantage Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: 2% to 5% of purchase price in down payment assistance, or 0% DPA option with a reduced first mortgage interest rate
First-time only:: No

Georgia Dream Peach Plus Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: 3.5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 4% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers
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 →

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

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
ANDP FHLBank Atlanta Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable Loan	$17,500 to $20,000 for households at or below 80% AMI; $15,000 for households between 80.1-120% AMI (Workforce Housing Plus)	No	View →
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Zero-interest 30-year mortgage on newly constructed Habitat home	Yes	View →
National Faith Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable Loan	$5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location)	No	View →

ANDP FHLBank Atlanta Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $17,500 to $20,000 for households at or below 80% AMI; $15,000 for households between 80.1-120% AMI (Workforce Housing Plus)
First-time only:: No

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Zero-interest 30-year mortgage on newly constructed Habitat home
First-time only:: Yes

National Faith Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location)
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

19 programs available in Atlanta. See which ones you qualify for.

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Are you a first-time homebuyer?

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Question 1 of 6

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Atlanta programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The Atlanta Housing DPA has a $375,000 purchase price limit. The Georgia Dream Standard program requires first-time buyer status, while Peach Plus and Peach Advantage do not.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All programs require HUD-approved homebuyer education. National Faith Homebuyers offers free courses and can be reached at (678) 553-3770. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta also provides counseling services.

Step 3: Contact a participating lender. Many Atlanta programs require working with specific approved lenders. Visit investatlanta.com or atlantahousing.org to find participating lenders, or call Georgia Dream at 800-359-4663.

Step 4: Explore layering options. Atlanta is unique in that many programs can be stacked. Ask your lender about combining Atlanta Housing DPA, Invest Atlanta HOME 4.0, Fulton County HOP, and Georgia Dream assistance for maximum benefit.

Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will determine which loan type (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional) fits your situation and which DPA programs you qualify for.

Step 6: Find a home within program limits. Work with a real estate agent to find a property within Atlanta city limits (for city programs) and Fulton County (for county programs) that meets purchase price limits.

Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will process DPA applications alongside your first mortgage. Atlanta Housing requires at least $1,500 of your own funds. Expect 30-60 days from contract to closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Atlanta?+

Atlanta has one of the most generous DPA ecosystems in the country. The Atlanta Housing DPA provides up to $20,000 ($25,000 for public service workers and veterans). Invest Atlanta HOME 4.0 adds a 3.5% grant on FHA/VA loans. The Fulton County Homeownership Program offers up to $22,500. The Georgia Dream program provides up to $10,000 ($12,500 for PEN/CHOICE). ANDP offers $15,000 to $20,000 through FHLBank Atlanta. Many of these programs can be combined, potentially exceeding $50,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

It depends on the program. The Georgia Dream Standard and Atlanta Housing DPA require first-time buyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). However, the Georgia Dream Peach Plus (FHA/VA) and Peach Advantage (Conventional) programs have no first-time buyer requirement. Invest Atlanta HOME 4.0 also does not require first-time buyer status.

What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+

Limits vary by program. Atlanta Housing DPA caps at $375,000. Invest Atlanta HOME 4.0 caps at $325,000. The Georgia Dream Standard allows up to $550,000, while Peach Plus and Peach Advantage allow up to $650,000 in the Atlanta MSA. The Fulton County HOP does not have a published price cap but assistance is capped at $22,500.

Can I stack multiple DPA programs in Atlanta?+

Yes, Atlanta is one of the best cities in the country for stacking assistance. Invest Atlanta programs can be combined with Atlanta Housing DPA, Fulton County HOP, Georgia Dream, and ANDP/National Faith assistance. Your participating lender can help identify which combinations you qualify for based on your income, loan type, and property location.

What homebuyer education is required?+

All programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. National Faith Homebuyers offers free courses in metro Atlanta and can be reached at (678) 553-3770. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta also provides HUD-approved counseling. Online courses through approved providers are accepted by most programs.

What special programs exist for teachers, nurses, and first responders?+

Several programs offer enhanced assistance for public service workers. Atlanta Housing DPA provides $25,000 (vs. $20,000 standard) for public safety, healthcare, education, and military personnel. The Georgia Dream PEN program offers $12,500 (vs. $10,000) for protectors, educators, and nurses. Invest Atlanta HOME 4.0 offers $7,500 (vs. $5,000) for PEN-qualifying buyers. These enhanced amounts can all be stacked.