See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Topeka, KS (2026)
Topeka is the capital of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County, with a population of about 126,000 and a typical home value around $190,000 — making it one of the more affordable mid-sized Kansas markets. Like Wichita and Kansas City, Topeka administers its own federal HUD funds and is therefore excluded from the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program. The flagship local program is Topeka Opportunity to Own (TOTO), administered by the City of Topeka through Housing and Credit Counseling Inc., which offers up to $5,000 in down payment assistance plus up to $30,000 in home repair financing — with both grants forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. The Kansas Housing Assistance Program (co-sponsored by Shawnee County) provides up to 4% cash assistance statewide, and the Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account adds state income tax savings. With federal loans like FHA, VA, USDA, and HomeReady, Topeka offers one of the strongest combinations of affordability and assistance in Kansas.
City Programs in Topeka
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka Opportunity to Own (TOTO) Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $5,000 down payment assistance plus up to $30,000 for home repairs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 down payment assistance plus up to $30,000 for home repairs
- 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
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The TOTO Program requires household income below 80% of HUD AMI for Shawnee County (about $69,700 for a family of four). The Kansas Housing Assistance Program requires 660+ credit for full 4% assistance.
Skip the KHRC First-Time Homebuyer Program. Topeka is excluded because the city administers its own federal HUD funds. Focus on TOTO and KHAP.
Save at least $500 toward your down payment. The TOTO Program requires applicants to have at least $500 saved before applying.
Complete 12 hours of homebuyer and maintenance education. The TOTO Program requires 12 hours of qualifying education through Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. Call HCCI at 785-234-0217 to enroll.
Apply for TOTO through Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. The program offers up to $5,000 down payment assistance and up to $30,000 for home repairs. The home purchase price cannot exceed $75,000. Both grants are fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy.
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 score 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 for eligible rural areas of Shawnee County), and HomeReady/Home Possible (3% down) all stack with TOTO and KHAP.