See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Wichita, KS (2026)
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the seat of Sedgwick County, with a 2024 census-estimated population of about 401,000. The median home sale price as of early 2026 is roughly $235,000, which makes Wichita one of the more affordable mid-sized housing markets in the country. First-time buyers in Wichita can stack the City of Wichita HOMEownership 80 Program (up to 20% of the purchase price plus $2,000 for closing costs as a 0% deferred second loan, forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy) with the Kansas Housing Assistance Program (up to 4% cash assistance toward down payment and closing costs). Local nonprofits Wichita Habitat for Humanity and Mennonite Housing offer affordable homeownership pathways for buyers earning 35-80% of area median income. Note: KHRC's First-Time Homebuyer Program does not apply in Wichita — buyers should focus on the city, county, and nonprofit programs listed below alongside federal loan options like FHA, VA, and USDA.
City Programs in Wichita
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Wichita HOMEownership 80 Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 20% of purchase price plus $2,000 toward closing costs (capped at amount required by first mortgage lender) | Yes | View → |
| Wichita Section 8 Home Ownership Program | Deferred Loan | Housing Choice Voucher applied toward monthly mortgage payments for up to 15 years | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of purchase price plus $2,000 toward closing costs (capped at amount required by first mortgage lender)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Housing Choice Voucher applied toward monthly mortgage payments for up to 15 years
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mennonite Housing Homeownership Project | Repayable Loan | Affordable home purchase opportunity (specific subsidy varies by home and lender) | Yes | View → |
| Wichita Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home (no published dollar value of subsidy; mortgage is structured to be affordable for 35-80% AMI households) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase opportunity (specific subsidy varies by home and lender)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home (no published dollar value of subsidy; mortgage is structured to be affordable for 35-80% AMI households)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most Wichita and Kansas programs are designed for first-time buyers (no homeownership in the past 3 years) earning at or below 80% of Sedgwick County area median income. Confirm income, credit, and residency requirements for each program you're considering.
Complete a homebuyer education course. Wichita Habitat for Humanity and Mennonite Housing both offer required homebuyer training classes. The City of Wichita also requires a homebuyer training class for HOMEownership 80 applicants.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Apply with a KHAP-participating lender (about 20 in the Sedgwick County area) for a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA RD, or Conventional loan. Minimum 660 credit score is required for full 4% KHAP assistance, or 640-659 for 3% assistance.
Contact a Wichita CHDO partner. For the City's HOMEownership 80 Program, applications go through partner organizations including Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Mennonite Housing, Jakub's Ladder, and HOPE Community Development. For Mennonite Housing's Homeownership Project, call 316-942-4848 and ask for Julie Smith, Director of Neighborhood Homes.
Find a home within program limits. The HOMEownership 80 Program is limited to newly constructed single-family homes built by partner CHDOs in designated assistance areas. Mennonite Housing's program is limited to seven Local Investment Areas
Submit your application. Plan for a 4-8 week timeline from application to closing. Buyers must invest a minimum of $1,000 in earnest money, application fees, or other closing-related costs from their own funds for most local programs.
Open a Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account. Even after closing, this state-level account lets you deduct up to $3,000 individual ($6,000 joint) per year from Kansas income tax, which can offset moving and home-furnishing costs.