See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 23, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Savannah, GA (2026)
Savannah is a historic coastal city in southeast Georgia and the seat of Chatham County, with a median home price around $350,000. The city offers one of Georgia's most generous local DPA programs through the DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance Program, providing up to $30,000 in deferred-loan assistance for first-time buyers within city limits, or up to $50,000 for city-partnered housing developments. The Savannah Affordable Housing Fund, administered by CHSA (a certified CDFI), provides additional gap financing averaging around $32,000. 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 public protectors, educators, and nurses through the PEN add-on. By combining Savannah's DreamMaker program with Georgia Dream and federal options, eligible buyers could potentially access over $40,000 in total assistance.
City Programs in Savannah
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah Affordable Housing Fund Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Gap financing averaging approximately $32,000 | Yes | View → |
| Savannah DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | $5,000 to $30,000 deferred loan for households at or below 80% AMI (up to $10,000 for households at 80%-120% AMI), based on need and funding; City webpage also lists up to $50,000 for City-partnered housing developments - confirm with Housing Services | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Gap financing averaging approximately $32,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 to $30,000 deferred loan for households at or below 80% AMI (up to $10,000 for households at 80%-120% AMI), based on need and funding; City webpage also lists up to $50,000 for City-partnered housing developments - confirm with Housing Services
- 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 → |
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- 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:
- 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 → |
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The DreamMaker program generally requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and first-time buyer status. Georgia Dream has its own income limits that vary by county and household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. This is required for both DreamMaker and Georgia Dream. The Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) offers free DCA-approved workshops covering credit, budgeting, mortgage lending, and more. The Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) for Savannah-Chatham County also offers homebuyer education workshops. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah (CCCS) provides free first-time homebuyer education at 912-691-2227.
Step 3: Contact the City of Savannah Housing and Neighborhood Services Department at 912-651-6926. They administer the DreamMaker program with up to $30,000 in deferred-loan DPA. Also contact CHSA at chsainc.org about additional Savannah Affordable Housing Fund assistance.
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 at 1-800-359-HOME.
Step 5: Find a home within Savannah city limits. The DreamMaker program requires the home to be within city limits and serve as your primary residence. You must contribute at least $1,000 toward the purchase. Condos do not qualify.
Step 6: Complete a home inspection. You must hire a home inspection company, and most repairs identified must be addressed by the seller before closing. Submit your applications through your lender and the HNSD office. Allow several weeks for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Savannah?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the different DreamMaker program tiers?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the median home price in Savannah?+−
What happens if I sell my home after receiving DreamMaker assistance?+−
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