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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Merrillville, IN (2026)
Merrillville is a town of about 36,000 residents in Lake County in Northwest Indiana, part of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The median home price is approximately $250,000. Homebuyers in Merrillville can access several assistance programs, including the Lake County Homebuyer Assistance Program offering up to $5,000 in grant funds, the Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance providing up to 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, and the FHLBank Indianapolis Launch program offering up to $20,000 in grants. By combining state programs like IHCDA First Step (up to 6% of purchase price) with these local and nonprofit options, buyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
County Programs in Lake County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $5,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Indianapolis Launch Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Up to $20,000 | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no traditional down payment required | Yes | View → |
| Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the purchase price | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with no traditional down payment required
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Lake County. The Lake County Homebuyer Assistance Program has specific income limits based on family size.
Complete homebuyer education. HUD-approved housing counseling is available through the South Suburban Housing Center and other agencies in Northwest Indiana. Contact them to enroll in a homebuyer education course, which is required by most assistance programs.
Contact the Lake County Community Economic Development Department at (219) 755-3225 to apply for the Lake County Homebuyer Assistance Program, which offers up to $5,000 in grant funds for homes in the entitlement area including Merrillville.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage through an IHCDA-participating lender. Ask your lender about IHCDA First Step (up to 6% of purchase price) and Next Home programs, as well as the Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance (up to 5% of purchase price as a forgivable loan).
Explore additional assistance through the FHLBank Indianapolis Launch program, which offers up to $20,000 in grant funds for qualifying buyers at or below 80% AMI. Your lender must be a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis to access this program.
Find a home in Merrillville within program guidelines and submit your purchase agreement. Your lender will coordinate the various assistance programs and guide you through the closing process.