See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Manhattan, KS (2026)
Manhattan is a Northeast Kansas college town anchored by Kansas State University, with Fort Riley to the west and the Flint Hills to the south. The median home price in Manhattan is approximately $280,000, and while the city does not currently fund a direct down payment assistance program for buyers, qualified first-time homebuyers can stack significant help from state and local sources. The KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program offers a 0% interest second mortgage for 15-20% of the purchase price (up to $40,000) that is forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy, and the Kansas Housing Assistance Program (KHAP) adds up to 4% in cash assistance toward down payment and closing costs. Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills serves Riley County buyers with affordable mortgages, and Interfaith Housing & Community Services administers a CASH IDA matched-savings program that turns a buyer's $3,000 in savings into $9,000 toward closing. Combined with federal FHA, VA, and USDA loan programs, these resources can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs for Manhattan 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 → |
| 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:
- 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 the Northern Flint Hills | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no profit and 0% interest (mortgage payments capped at 30% of gross monthly income) | No | View → |
| Interfaith CASH IDA Program | Grant | Up to $9,000 total ($3,000 saved by buyer + $6,000 in 2:1 matching funds) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with no profit and 0% interest (mortgage payments capped at 30% of gross monthly income)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $9,000 total ($3,000 saved by buyer + $6,000 in 2:1 matching funds)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program is open to households earning at or below 80% of Riley County's area median income, and the program is available throughout Manhattan (it is excluded only in Johnson County and the cities of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and Wichita).
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. has a Manhattan office and is a HUD-approved provider; their pre-purchase counseling is free, and most state and nonprofit programs require this certificate.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills can be reached at (785) 537-7545 or info@habitatflinthills.org for affordable mortgage opportunities. Interfaith Housing & Community Services can walk you through the CASH IDA matched-savings program.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Use the KHRC participating lender search to find a Riley County lender that originates the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer second mortgage and KHAP cash assistance.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The KHRC program has purchase price limits set by county and updated annually; verify the current limit with your KHRC lender before making an offer.
Step 6: Submit your application. State assistance is funded year-round but reserved on a first-come, first-served basis; closing typically takes 30 to 45 days once your assistance reservation is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Manhattan, KS?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price I can buy?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there any Manhattan-specific homebuyer programs?+−
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