See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Lawrence, KS (2026)
Lawrence is the seat of Douglas County and home to the University of Kansas, with a population of about 96,000 and a typical home value around $290,000 — making it one of the more expensive smaller Kansas markets driven by KU demand. Lawrence is excluded from the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program because the city administers its own federal HUD funds. The standout local resource is Tenants to Homeowners (TTH), a Lawrence Community Land Trust nonprofit that has helped more than 350 families become homeowners since 1992. TTH sells homes at an average $50,000 below market value, requires only 5% of annual gross income as a down payment, and covers closing costs (~$4,500) for first-time buyers. The Kansas Housing Assistance Program (up to 4% cash assistance), the Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account, and federal loans (FHA, VA, USDA, HomeReady) round out the assistance options for Lawrence buyers.
State Programs in Kansas
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account | Tax Credit | State income tax deduction up to $3,000 individual / $6,000 joint per year (lifetime cap $24,000 / $48,000) | Yes | View → |
| Kansas Housing Assistance Program (KHAP) | Grant | Up to 4% cash assistance (3% option for buyers with 640-659 credit scores) | Yes | View → |
| KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | 15-20% of purchase price (up to $40,000) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- State income tax deduction up to $3,000 individual / $6,000 joint per year (lifetime cap $24,000 / $48,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 4% cash assistance (3% option for buyers with 640-659 credit scores)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 15-20% of purchase price (up to $40,000)
- 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 → |
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenants to Homeowners (Lawrence Community Land Trust) | Forgivable Loan | Average $50,000 price reduction (subsidy) on home purchase. Down payment as low as 5% of annual gross income. Closing costs (~$4,500) covered for first-time buyers. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Average $50,000 price reduction (subsidy) on home purchase. Down payment as low as 5% of annual gross income. Closing costs (~$4,500) covered for first-time buyers.
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Tenants to Homeowners and most Lawrence-area assistance targets buyers earning less than 80% of HUD-determined area median income for Douglas County. Most programs require first-time buyer status (no homeownership in past 3 years).
Skip the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program. Lawrence is excluded because the city administers its own federal HUD funds. Focus on Tenants to Homeowners and KHAP.
Complete homebuyer education. Tenants to Homeowners requires a homebuyer workshop plus budget and/or credit counseling from Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. (785-234-0217) before purchase. HCCI is a HUD-approved counseling agency.
Apply for Tenants to Homeowners. Contact TTH at 785-842-5494 or visit tenants-to-homeowners.org. The Community Land Trust model sells homes at an average $50,000 below market value. Buyers only need 5% of their annual gross income as a down payment — for someone earning $31,000/year that's under $2,000. Closing costs (~$4,500) are covered for first-time buyers.
Get pre-approved with a KHAP-participating lender. Apply for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA RD, or Conventional) and stack KHAP's up to 4% cash assistance. Minimum 660 credit for full assistance, or 640-659 for 3% option.
Open a Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account. Designate the account using Schedule FTHB on your Kansas income tax return. Up to $3,000 individual / $6,000 joint per year deduction from KS state income tax.
Look at federal loan options. FHA (3.5% down, 580+ credit), VA (0% down for veterans), USDA RD (0% down in eligible parts of Douglas County), and HomeReady/Home Possible (3% down) all stack with most local programs.