See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Glendale Heights, IL (2026)
Glendale Heights is a DuPage County suburb about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago with a population of roughly 32,808. With a median home price near $290,000, it is one of the most affordable submarkets in DuPage County, making it well-suited for first-time buyers who want to stack multiple down payment assistance programs. Glendale Heights does not run its own city-level DPA, but buyers here can layer federal mortgage programs (FHA, VA, USDA where eligible), Illinois IHDA assistance (including the new IHDAccess Home with up to $15,000), and DuPage County-wide resources through HOME DuPage, the DuPage Housing Authority, and the DuPage Homestead Program. HUD-approved homebuyer counseling is available locally through HOME DuPage.
State Programs in Illinois
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP) | Grant | Up to ,000 | No | View → |
| IHDA Access Deferred | Deferred Loan | 5% of purchase price up to ,500 | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Forgivable | Forgivable Loan | 4% of purchase price up to ,000 | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Repayable | Zero-Interest Loan | 10% of purchase price up to ,000 | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | Federal tax credit: 25% of annual mortgage interest (capped at ,000/year) | Yes | View → |
| IHDA SmartBuy | Forgivable Loan | ,000 DPA plus up to ,000 toward student loan payoff | Yes | View → |
| IHDAccess Home | Deferred Loan | Up to ,000 (6% of purchase price) | Yes | View → |
| Opening Doors / Abriendo Puertas | Forgivable Loan | Up to ,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of purchase price up to ,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 4% of purchase price up to ,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 10% of purchase price up to ,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit: 25% of annual mortgage interest (capped at ,000/year)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- ,000 DPA plus up to ,000 toward student loan payoff
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000 (6% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
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 → |
| DuPage Homestead Program | Silent Second Mortgage | Reduced-interest first mortgage plus an interest-free second mortgage | Yes | View → |
| DuPage Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Down payment assistance (program amount varies by household; initial funding pool of $100,000) | Yes | View → |
| HOME DuPage Housing Counseling | Grant | HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education, financial coaching, and foreclosure prevention | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- Reduced-interest first mortgage plus an interest-free second mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment assistance (program amount varies by household; initial funding pool of $100,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education, financial coaching, and foreclosure prevention
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Assemble your team. Choose an Illinois-licensed lender experienced with IHDA and DuPage County-level assistance, plus a real estate agent familiar with the DuPage western suburbs.
Review your credit and income. Most programs require a credit score of 640 or higher and household income at or below 80 percent of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Area Median Income (IHDAccess Home goes up to approximately $137,885 in Cook-adjacent counties).
Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. HOME DuPage offers orientation and counseling for DuPage County residents. Call HOME DuPage at 630-260-2500 to register.
Get pre-approved. Your lender will confirm which first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) pairs with which IHDA or DuPage County program for your situation.
Layer your assistance. Consider IHDAccess Home, IHDA Access Forgivable, IHDA Access Deferred, DuPage Housing Authority DPA, and the DuPage Homestead Program where eligible.
Find a home within program purchase price limits. Glendale Heights typically fits within IHDA price caps, giving you more options than higher-priced DuPage submarkets.
Close and keep your paperwork. Most Illinois DPA is forgivable or deferred over a 5 to 10 year occupancy period. Retain your closing package for the full forgiveness term.