See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Rock Island, IL (2026)
Rock Island is a city of roughly 36,000 residents on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River. With a median home price near $147,000, it is one of the most affordable homeownership markets in Illinois, and buyers can layer meaningful assistance on top. Residents who work for employer members of the Development Association of Rock Island may qualify for the Live-Work Rock Island Program, which provides up to 5% of the purchase price plus $1,500 toward closing costs. At the state level, IHDAccess Home offers up to $15,000, IHDA Access Forgivable provides 4% up to $6,000 that is fully forgiven after 10 years, and the FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus Program contributes up to $10,000 in matched assistance. Combined with federal FHA, VA, and USDA loan options, stacking state and local programs can cover most of a Rock Island buyer's down payment and closing costs.
City Programs in Rock Island
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live-Work Rock Island Program | Grant | Up to 5% of purchase price for down payment plus up to $1,500 for closing costs | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of purchase price for down payment plus up to $1,500 for closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with 0% interest mortgage; no down payment required | No | View → |
| Project NOW Housing Counseling and Home Repair | Forgivable Loan | HUD-approved homebuyer counseling; up to $45,000 in home repair/accessibility assistance via forgivable 5-year loan (HRAP) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with 0% interest mortgage; no down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- HUD-approved homebuyer counseling; up to $45,000 in home repair/accessibility assistance via forgivable 5-year loan (HRAP)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most assistance programs require household income at or below 80-120% of the Rock Island County Area Median Income and a minimum credit score around 640.
Step 2: Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. Contact Project NOW Housing Division or Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) at 309-788-6311 to register for a class.
Step 3: Confirm employer eligibility if applying for Live-Work Rock Island. The program is open only to employees of Development Association of Rock Island (DARI) member businesses.
Step 4: Get pre-approved with an IHDA-participating lender. IHDA Access loans must be originated through the state's approved lender network.
Step 5: Find a home within Rock Island city limits that meets program requirements. Home prices must fall below IHDA purchase price limits for a one-unit property in the Rock Island area.
Step 6: Submit program applications through GROWTH and your lender. Forgivable and grant funds are reserved at closing and applied to your down payment and closing costs.
Step 7: Close on your home and complete any post-purchase requirements, including staying in the home as your primary residence for the required forgiveness period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Rock Island, IL?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use these programs?+−
What is the maximum home price allowed?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What does Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities offer?+−
Is the Rock Island H.O.M.E. (Home Ownership Made Easy) program still available?+−
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