See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Northbrook, IL First-Time Homebuyer Programs & Down Payment Assistance 2026
Northbrook is an affluent North Shore suburb of Chicago in Cook County with a population of about 34,585. With a median home price around $675,000, Northbrook represents one of the higher-priced submarkets in the Chicago region, and homebuyer assistance here typically comes from federal, Illinois state, and Cook County sources rather than a dedicated city program. Buyers can still access meaningful help: the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) offers statewide down payment and closing cost assistance, Cook County's Homeowner Down Payment Assistance Program provides additional help for buyers outside the City of Chicago, and federal loan programs (FHA, VA, USDA where eligible) reduce the cash required at closing. Housing counseling is available through HUD-approved agencies serving the north suburbs.
County Programs in Cook County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | 5% of home sale price up to ,000 | No | View → |
Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of home sale price up to ,000
- First-time only:
- No
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 → |
FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP)
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- First-time only:
- No
IHDA Access Deferred
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of purchase price up to ,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Access Forgivable
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 4% of purchase price up to ,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Access Repayable
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 10% of purchase price up to ,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit: 25% of annual mortgage interest (capped at ,000/year)
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA SmartBuy
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- ,000 DPA plus up to ,000 toward student loan payoff
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDAccess Home
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000 (6% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
Opening Doors / Abriendo Puertas
- 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 → |
FHA Loans
- 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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
- 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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
- 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
HUD $100 Down Program
- 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
USDA Rural Development Loans
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
VA Loans
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
HACC Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program
- 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
How to Apply
- Build your team. Connect with an Illinois-licensed lender experienced with IHDA and Cook County DPA, plus a local real estate agent familiar with Northbrook and the greater North Shore market.
- Check your credit and income. Most programs here require a 640 or higher credit score and incomes at or below 80 to 140 percent of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Area Median Income depending on the program.
- Get pre-approved. Your lender will confirm which first mortgage and DPA combinations you qualify for given Northbrook's higher price points.
- Complete homebuyer education. Nearly every DPA program in Illinois requires a HUD-approved 8-hour course before closing.
- Layer your assistance. Start with IHDA Access or Opening Doors, then check Cook County DPA (subject to funding availability), and apply federal programs (FHA, VA, USDA) where eligible.
- Search and make an offer. Because Northbrook home prices often exceed program purchase limits, work closely with your lender to confirm eligibility on any specific property before writing an offer.
- Close and keep records. Retain all DPA documents, as many Illinois programs are forgivable or deferred over a multi-year occupancy period.