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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 12, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Richmond, IN (2026)

Population: 35,425 | Median home price: $120,000 | Est. closing costs: $2,500 - $3,500

Skyline of Richmond, IN

Richmond is a city of about 35,000 residents in Wayne County in eastern Indiana, near the Ohio border. The median home price is approximately $120,000, making it one of the more affordable markets in the state. While Richmond does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several state and nonprofit options including 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. Combined with IHCDA state programs like First Step (up to 6% of purchase price), buyers can stack significant assistance to cover most or all of their upfront costs on a Richmond home.

State Programs in Indiana

IHCDA First Place Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to 6% of the purchase price
First-time only:
Yes
IHCDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Type:
Tax Credit
Amount:
Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
First-time only:
Yes
IHCDA Next Home Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to 3.5% of the purchase price (FHA) or 3% (Conventional)
First-time only:
No

Federal Programs

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
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

FHLBank Indianapolis Launch Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $20,000
First-time only:
Yes
Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to 5% of the purchase price
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most assistance programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Wayne County. The IHCDA First Step program also requires a minimum credit score of 640.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. TRI-CAP offers free HUD-approved homebuyer education courses in the area, including both in-person and self-guided workshops covering loan products, home selection, and post-purchase education. Contact TRI-CAP to enroll.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage through an IHCDA-participating lender. Ask about IHCDA First Step (up to 6% of purchase price for first-time buyers) and IHCDA Next Home (up to 3-4% of purchase price, no first-time buyer requirement).

Step 4: Ask your lender about the Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance program, which provides up to 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable second mortgage with no payments and no interest for qualifying buyers at or below 80% AMI.

Step 5: Explore additional grant funding through the FHLBank Indianapolis Launch program, which offers up to $20,000 in grants for qualifying first-generation, first-time homebuyers. Your lender must be a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.

Step 6: Find a home in Richmond within program guidelines and submit your purchase agreement. With a median home price of around $120,000, the available assistance programs can cover a substantial portion of your upfront costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Richmond?+
Richmond buyers can combine multiple programs for significant help. The Hoosier Homes Down Payment Assistance offers up to 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan. The FHLBank Indianapolis Launch program provides up to $20,000 in grants. IHCDA state programs like First Step offer up to 6% of the purchase price. On a $120,000 home, these combined programs could cover well over $20,000 in down payment and closing costs.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Richmond?+
Not for all programs. The IHCDA Next Home program does not require first-time buyer status and offers 3-4% of the purchase price in assistance. However, the IHCDA First Step program, Hoosier Homes, and FHLBank Launch generally require first-time buyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years.
What are the income limits for homebuyer programs in Richmond?+
Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Wayne County. Income limits vary by household size and are updated annually by HUD. Contact an IHCDA-participating lender or call IHCDA at (317) 232-7777 for current income limits specific to Wayne County.
What homebuyer education is required in Richmond?+
Most assistance programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. TRI-CAP offers free homebuyer education courses in the area, including in-person training and self-guided workshops. Courses cover choosing a loan product, selecting a home, key documents in the buying process, and post-purchase education. You will receive a certificate of completion that your lender may require.
Are there any Richmond-specific city programs?+
Richmond does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program. However, buyers in Richmond benefit from Indiana state programs through IHCDA (First Step and Next Home) and nonprofit programs like Hoosier Homes and FHLBank Indianapolis Launch. The Richmond Housing Authority provides affordable housing options, and TRI-CAP offers free housing counseling services in the area.

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