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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)
Fort Wayne is Indiana's second-largest city and the seat of Allen County, with a median home price around $210,000 that makes it one of the most affordable mid-size cities in the Midwest. Buyers can take advantage of the Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance program, which offers up to 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable second mortgage through the Fort Wayne Housing Authority. The City of Fort Wayne also offers its own Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance program providing up to $8,000 in forgivable loans through the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services. Combined with IHCDA state programs like First Place (up to 6% of the purchase price) and Next Home (up to 3.5%), Fort Wayne buyers could stack over $20,000 in down payment assistance toward their home purchase.
City Programs in Fort Wayne
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $8,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Indiana
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHCDA First Place Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 6% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| IHCDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
| IHCDA Next Home Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 3.5% of the purchase price (FHA) or 3% (Conventional) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 3.5% of the purchase price (FHA) or 3% (Conventional)
- First-time only:
- No
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 → |
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 of Greater Fort Wayne Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with monthly payment capped at 26% of gross income | No | View → |
| Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the purchase price | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with monthly payment capped at 26% of gross income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Allen County. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). IHCDA state programs have income limits ranging from $82,100 to $138,740 depending on household size.
Complete homebuyer education. The City of Fort Wayne requires homebuyer education for its DPA program, and the Hoosier Homes program has the same requirement. Contact Pathfinder Services or download the Club 720 app to find approved courses in the Fort Wayne area.
Get pre-screened for the City of Fort Wayne DPA. Call Kristy Wall at 260-355-2517 to complete a pre-screening for the city's $8,000 forgivable loan program. You can also visit pathfinderhomes.org for an online application.
Check Hoosier Homes eligibility. Download the free Club 720 app or visit club720.org to assess your eligibility for up to 5% down payment assistance through the Fort Wayne Housing Authority's Hoosier Homes program.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact an IHCDA Participating Lender for state programs like First Place (640+ credit score) or Next Home (660+ credit score). For Hoosier Homes, work with a participating lender through the Club 720 platform.
Find a home within program limits. IHCDA purchase price limits for Allen County apply to state programs. The city DPA requires the home to be within Fort Wayne city limits. Hoosier Homes covers all of Allen County.
Submit your applications and close. Your lender will process the DPA applications alongside your mortgage. Plan for a closing timeline of 30-45 days once your offer is accepted.