See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Leavenworth, KS (2026)
Leavenworth sits along the Missouri River in northeast Kansas, anchored by Fort Leavenworth (the oldest active U.S. Army post west of the Mississippi) and a strong base of military, federal, and historic preservation employers. The median home price in Leavenworth is approximately $250,000, and Leavenworth is one of the few mid-sized Kansas cities that funds its own buyer assistance: the City of Leavenworth Home Ownership Program offers up to $8,000 in CDBG-funded grant money to first-time buyers purchasing within city limits, secured by a 5-year owner-occupancy lien with a $238,000 maximum purchase price. On top of that, eligible first-time buyers can stack the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program (a 0% interest forgivable second mortgage of 15-20% of the purchase price, up to $40,000), the Kansas Housing Assistance Program (up to 4% cash assistance), and the Habitat for Humanity Kansas City Down Payment Assistance Program ($10,000 grant for households at or below 80% AMI). Habitat KC also offers a zero-interest mortgage homebuyer program for selected families in Leavenworth County. Combined with federal FHA, VA, and USDA loans, Leavenworth buyers have one of the deeper assistance stacks available in northeast Kansas.
City Programs in Leavenworth
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Leavenworth Home Ownership Program | Grant | Up to $8,000 grant for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000 grant for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Kansas City Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 grant | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Kansas City Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase through a zero-interest mortgage on a newly built or renovated Habitat home, sold at no profit. | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase through a zero-interest mortgage on a newly built or renovated Habitat home, sold at no profit.
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The City of Leavenworth Home Ownership Program requires first-time buyer status, HUD income limits for Leavenworth County, and a purchase price at or below $238,000 within Leavenworth city limits. KHRC requires 80% AMI or below. The Habitat KC DPA grant requires 80% AMI or below and a debt-to-income ratio under 45%.
Complete homebuyer education. The City Home Ownership Program requires a HUD-approved homebuyer education certificate, which also satisfies KHRC, KHAP, and Habitat KC requirements. Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. is a regional HUD-approved provider.
Contact a local housing partner. Call the City of Leavenworth Community Development office at (913) 702-8108 to request the Home Ownership Application. For the Habitat KC programs, apply at habitatkc.org/dpa once you have an active purchase contract.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Use the KHRC participating lender search to find a Leavenworth-area lender that can originate the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer second mortgage and KHAP cash assistance, and confirm with your lender that they will work with the City Home Ownership Program funds.
Find a home within program limits. The City Home Ownership Program caps purchase price at $238,000 and requires the home be inside Leavenworth city limits. The KHRC program has Leavenworth County-specific purchase price limits updated annually.
Submit your application. The applicant must contribute at least one-half of the required down payment from their own funds. Closing typically takes 30 to 60 days once all assistance reservations are approved.