See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 11, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bowling Green, KY (2026)
Bowling Green is Kentucky's third-largest city, located in Warren County and home to Western Kentucky University, with a median home price around $265,000. The city offers a Down Payment Assistance Program providing up to $10,000 in grant funding for first-time buyers purchasing in targeted revitalization areas, administered through HANDS Inc. Habitat for Humanity of Bowling Green/Warren County provides 0% interest mortgages on Habitat-built homes for families below 80% AMI. At the state level, the KHC Regular DAP adds up to $12,500 and the KHC Affordable DAP provides up to $7,500 for lower-income buyers. By combining the city DPA grant with a KHC program, eligible Bowling Green buyers could access over $22,000 in total assistance toward their home purchase.
City Programs in Bowling Green
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Housing Authority of Bowling Green Homeownership Program | Grant | Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment (amount varies by household) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment (amount varies by household)
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Kentucky
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program | Grant | Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses | Yes | View → |
| KHC Affordable Down Payment Assistance (Affordable DAP) | Repayable Loan | Up to $7,500 | No | View → |
| KHC Regular Down Payment Assistance (DAP) | Repayable Loan | Up to $12,500 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $12,500
- First-time only:
- No
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 Bowling Green/Warren County | Zero-Interest Loan | 0% interest mortgage on Habitat-built homes | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 0% interest mortgage on Habitat-built homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Bowling Green DPA targets first-time buyers with low-to-moderate income in Warren County. KHC state programs have a statewide purchase price limit of $544,232. Income limits vary by county and household size.
Step 2: Contact HANDS Inc. for homebuyer counseling. HANDS Inc. is the HUD-approved housing counseling agency that administers the city DPA program. Reach them at (270) 796-4176 or visit 215 E. 12th Avenue, Bowling Green, KY 42102 (Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm). They will guide you through eligibility and the application process.
Step 3: Complete homebuyer education. Most programs require or recommend HUD-approved homebuyer education. HANDS Inc. provides counseling services locally. Habitat for Humanity requires financial literacy coursework and 150 hours of volunteer sweat equity.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a KHC-approved lender if you plan to use state DPA programs. Your lender can help you determine which programs to stack for maximum assistance.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. The city DPA is limited to targeted revitalization areas within Bowling Green. Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes in the Bowling Green/Warren County area. Ask HANDS Inc. about current eligible neighborhoods.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate DPA funding with your first mortgage. Allow extra processing time when combining city and state assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Bowling Green?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What are the targeted revitalization areas for Bowling Green DPA?+−
Can Section 8 voucher holders buy a home in Bowling Green?+−
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