Homebuyer Programs in Augusta, GA (2026)
Augusta is Georgia's second-largest metro area and a major hub along the Savannah River, with a median home price around $200,000 that makes homeownership accessible for many first-time buyers. The City of Augusta offers its Homeownership Assistance Program, providing up to $5,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for income-eligible buyers. At the state level, the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program offers up to $10,000 in deferred-loan DPA, with enhanced amounts of up to $12,500 for protectors, educators, and nurses through the PEN add-on. Additional support is available through the Georgia Dream Peach Advantage Program and local nonprofits like Promise Land Community Development Corporation and Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity. By stacking city, state, and federal programs, Augusta buyers can potentially access over $15,000 in combined assistance toward their home purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Augusta
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
| Promise Land CDC Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Down payment assistance available (amount varies) | No | View → |
| Georgia Dream Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 (5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (6%) for protectors, educators, nurses (PEN) and families with a disabled member (CHOICE) | 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 | Up to $10,000 (3.5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (4%) for PEN and CHOICE qualifying buyers | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment assistance available (amount varies)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 (5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (6%) for protectors, educators, nurses (PEN) and families with a disabled member (CHOICE)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 (3.5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (4%) for PEN and CHOICE qualifying buyers
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for the Augusta area. The Georgia Dream program has its own income limits that vary by county and household size.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. This is required for most programs. CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority offers HUD-approved homebuyer education workshops and one-on-one pre-purchase counseling. Contact them at 762-222-8594. Promise Land Community Development Corporation also provides homebuyer education and financial fitness coaching.
- Step 3:
Contact Augusta Housing and Community Development. They administer the city's Homeownership Assistance Program offering up to $5,000 in forgivable DPA. Reach them at 706-821-2300 or visit 535 Telfair Street, Augusta, GA 30901.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Georgia Dream participating lender to apply for both your first mortgage and state DPA of up to $10,000. A list of approved lenders is available through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
- Step 5:
Find a home within Augusta. The city program requires the home to be within the Augusta limits and serve as your primary residence.
- Step 6:
Submit your applications. Your lender will coordinate the city DPA application with Augusta HCD. Once your sales contract is signed, the lender sends documentation to HCD for review and property inspection. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing.