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 $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 → |
| 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
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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).
Step 3: Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. HOME DuPage offers orientation and counseling for DuPage County residents. Call HOME DuPage at 630-260-2500 to register.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: Layer your assistance. Consider IHDAccess Home, IHDA Access Forgivable, IHDA Access Deferred, DuPage Housing Authority DPA, and the DuPage Homestead Program where eligible.
Step 6: 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.
Step 7: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Glendale Heights have its own down payment assistance program?+−
What is the median home price in Glendale Heights?+−
How much down payment assistance can I stack in Glendale Heights?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What are estimated closing costs in Glendale Heights?+−
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