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.
Top Homebuyer 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 | Up to $30,000 (up to $50,000 for city-partnered housing developments) | 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 → |
| Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage | 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Gap financing averaging approximately $32,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000 (up to $50,000 for city-partnered housing developments)
- 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:
- 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. 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.