See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Calumet City, IL (2026)
Calumet City is a south-suburban community of about 35,100 residents in southern Cook County, on the Illinois-Indiana border. With a median home price near $165,000, it remains one of the more affordable Chicago-area markets, and buyers have access to a deep bench of state and regional programs. At the state level, IHDAccess Home provides up to $15,000 in down payment assistance, IHDA Access Forgivable offers 4% up to $6,000 fully forgiven after 10 years, and the FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Program adds up to $10,000. Regionally, the South Suburban Housing Center provides free HUD-approved counseling and can refer eligible buyers to the Inclusive Communities Fund (ICF), while DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity offers zero-interest mortgages for partner families. Active Housing Authority of Cook County Housing Choice Voucher holders may also apply their voucher toward mortgage payments through HACC's Homeownership Program.
County Programs in Cook County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | — | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Illinois
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP) | Grant | Up to $10,000 forgivable grant (lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage amount) | No | View → |
| IHDA Access Deferred | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Forgivable | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Repayable | Zero-Interest Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA SmartBuy | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDAccess Home | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Opening Doors / Abriendo Puertas | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 forgivable grant (lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage amount)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage | No | View → |
| HACC Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program | Grant | Monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) applied to mortgage payments for up to 15 years (or 30 years for elderly/disabled households) | Yes | View → |
| South Suburban Housing Center Homebuyer Counseling | Grant | HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education classes, and fair housing advocacy at no or low cost | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) applied to mortgage payments for up to 15 years (or 30 years for elderly/disabled households)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education classes, and fair housing advocacy at no or low cost
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most state programs require household income at or below 80-140% of the Cook County Area Median Income and a minimum credit score of 640.
Step 2: Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. Contact South Suburban Housing Center at 708-957-4674 to enroll in a free or low-cost class that satisfies IHDA and lender requirements.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with an IHDA-participating lender. Your lender can combine IHDA mortgage products with state down payment assistance.
Step 4: If you currently hold a HACC Housing Choice Voucher, contact the Housing Authority of Cook County about the HCV Homeownership Program so your voucher can be applied toward the monthly mortgage payment.
Step 5: Find a home within Calumet City or the surrounding south suburbs that meets program limits. The IHDA one-unit purchase price limit in Cook County is approximately $610,939, far above the local median.
Step 6: Submit applications through your lender, SSHC, or HACC as appropriate. Assistance is typically reserved and funded at closing.
Step 7: Close on your home and occupy it as your primary residence. Forgivable loans release over time provided you remain in the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Calumet City, IL?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price allowed?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program available right now?+−
Can my Section 8 voucher help me buy a home in Calumet City?+−
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