See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 15, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Joliet, IL (2026)
Joliet is the county seat of Will County and one of the larger cities in the Chicago metropolitan area, with a median home price around 5,000 as of 2026. Joliet buyers have one of the most generous city-level DPA programs in Illinois: the Joliet Down Payment Assistance Program offers a 0% interest deferred loan of up to 20% of the purchase price for income-eligible first-time buyers (that's potentially ,000+ of assistance on a median-priced Joliet home). Stack that with Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) products — IHDAccess Home (up to ,000), Access Forgivable (up to ,000), Access Deferred (up to ,500), Access Repayable (up to ,000), or Opening Doors (,000 forgivable) — plus FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (up to ,000) and the IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate for an annual 25% tax credit on mortgage interest, and first-time Joliet buyers can assemble a substantial assistance package. Will County Habitat for Humanity, headquartered in Joliet, offers 0% interest mortgages and has built 90+ homes in the county since 1988. Will County Center for Community Concerns provides HUD-approved counseling to connect buyers with the right mix of programs.
City Programs in Joliet
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 20% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will County Center for Community Concerns | Grant | HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education, and referral to DPA programs | No | View → |
| Will County Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage; includes DPA and financial literacy support | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education, and referral to DPA programs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage; includes DPA and financial literacy support
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Joliet DPA program requires first-time buyer status and income at or below 80% Area Median Income, varying by household size. IHDA programs allow up to Cook/collar-county limits ( 0,000+ in Will County) and require a 640 credit score.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Joliet requires education through a HUD-approved local agency. Contact Will County Center for Community Concerns, Spanish Community Center, South Suburban Housing Center, or Holsten Human Capital Development to enroll in a workshop.
Step 3: Contact the City of Joliet. Reach out to the Joliet Community Development Department's Neighborhood Services Division for current DPA program availability, application forms, and timeline expectations.
Step 4: Get pre-approved with an IHDA-approved lender. IHDA's statewide network includes 160+ participating lenders. For Downpayment Plus, choose a participating FHLBank Chicago member bank or credit union.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Joliet DPA requires the home to be within the City of Joliet city limits and used as the primary residence. IHDA has federal purchase price limits well above Joliet's 5,000 median.
Step 6: Save your minimum contribution. Joliet DPA requires the buyer to bring at least ,500 of their own funds to closing. Plan for that separately from DPA funds.
Step 7: Reserve funds and close. Your lender reserves DPA funds after pre-approval. Funds are applied at closing. Confirm lien filings and final numbers with your lender and closing attorney before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Joliet?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Joliet?+−
How much of my own money do I need to bring?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I combine Joliet DPA with IHDA assistance?+−
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