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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Elizabethtown, KY (2026)
Elizabethtown is the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, located about 45 miles south of Louisville and adjacent to Fort Knox, one of the largest military installations in the country. With a median home price around $255,000, Elizabethtown does not currently offer city-funded or county-funded down payment assistance, but buyers here benefit from strong state and federal programs. The KHC Regular DAP provides up to $12,500 in loan assistance, the KHC Affordable DAP offers up to $7,500, and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program provides grants of $10,000 to $20,000 for most buyers and up to $25,000 for veterans and active-duty military. Given the large military community near Fort Knox, VA loans with 0% down payment are especially popular in the area. By combining state and federal programs, Elizabethtown buyers can potentially access over $30,000 in assistance.
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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Kentucky Housing Corporation programs require household income at or below specific limits that vary by county. Hardin County income limits are set by KHC based on Area Median Income. Military families should also explore VA loan eligibility for 0% down payment financing.
Complete homebuyer education. KHC programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Central Kentucky Community Action Council at 1111 North Dixie Highway in Elizabethtown provides financial education services. You can also call HUD's national hotline at 800-569-4287 to find approved agencies.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender approved through the Kentucky Housing Corporation network. For the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program grants, ensure your lender is an FHLB Cincinnati member — Cecilian Bank in Elizabethtown is a participating lender. Veterans United at Fort Knox specializes in VA loans for military buyers.
Find a home in Elizabethtown. Browse available properties within KHC purchase price limits for Hardin County. Elizabethtown offers a range of options from established neighborhoods to newer subdivisions.
Apply for state assistance. Your KHC-approved lender will help you apply for the Regular DAP (up to $12,500) or Affordable DAP (up to $7,500) alongside your primary mortgage. Welcome Home Program grants open once per year and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis — veterans and active-duty military can receive up to $25,000.
Close on your home. Your lender will coordinate all assistance programs with your primary mortgage at closing.