See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Woodridge, IL First-Time Homebuyer Programs & Down Payment Assistance 2026
Woodridge is a DuPage County suburb of Chicago (with a small portion in Will County) home to about 33,941 residents. With a median home price of roughly $384,000, it is one of the more accessible mid-priced markets in the western suburbs, making it a strong fit for first-time buyers using layered down payment assistance. Woodridge does not run its own city-level DPA, but buyers here can stack federal mortgage programs with Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) assistance, DuPage County-level programs through HOME DuPage and the DuPage Housing Authority, and nonprofit support from Habitat for Humanity's DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs affiliate. Homebuyer counseling is available through HUD-approved agencies serving DuPage County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home with 0% interest Habitat mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
DuPage Homestead Program
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- Reduced-interest first mortgage plus an interest-free second mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
DuPage Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Program
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment assistance (program amount varies by household; initial funding pool of $100,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
HOME DuPage Housing Counseling
- 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 DPA, and a real estate agent who works the I-355 corridor.
- Review your credit and income. Most programs require a 640 or higher credit score and income at or below 80 percent Area Median Income for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro (higher for IHDA products).
- Get pre-approved. Your lender will confirm which first mortgage and DPA combinations you qualify for on Woodridge's price points.
- Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved 8-hour course is required for nearly all Illinois DPA programs. HOME DuPage provides this service.
- Layer your assistance. Consider IHDA Access, DuPage Housing Authority DPA (as funding permits), and the Illinois Hardest Hit program where available, plus federal FHA, VA, or USDA loans.
- Search within program limits. Confirm the property meets IHDA's purchase price caps and any county-level requirements before making an offer.
- Close and maintain records. Most Illinois DPA is forgivable over a 5 to 10 year occupancy period. Keep your closing package for the full forgiveness term.