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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Auburn, ME (2026)
Auburn is a growing city in Androscoggin County, Maine, located along the Androscoggin River across from its twin city of Lewiston. With a median home price around $328,000, Auburn offers more accessible pricing compared to southern Maine markets while remaining within commuting distance of Portland. Homebuyers in Auburn can take advantage of the Auburn HOMEBuyer Program, which provides a $5,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs for income-qualifying households. The Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program offers a 2:1 matched savings plan, and the state-level MaineHousing Advantage program adds another $5,000 in assistance. First-generation homebuyers may also qualify for the MaineHousing First Generation Program, which offers a $10,000 grant plus a below-market interest rate. By combining local, state, and federal programs, Auburn buyers can potentially stack over $20,000 in total assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Auburn
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn HOMEBuyer Program | Grant | $5,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | 2:1 matched savings; half as grant, half as 0% forgivable loan | No | View → |
| 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 → |
| Community Concepts Self-Help Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Opportunity to build a new affordable home with sweat equity | No | View → |
| MaineHousing Advantage | Grant | $5,000 | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing First Generation Program | Grant | $10,000 grant plus 1% below-market interest rate | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing First Home Loan Program | Deferred Loan | Low fixed-rate 30-year mortgage with little or no down payment | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing Salute ME | Deferred Loan | 0.50% interest rate discount on MaineHousing First Home Loan rate | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 2:1 matched savings; half as grant, half as 0% forgivable loan
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Opportunity to build a new affordable home with sweat equity
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $10,000 grant plus 1% below-market interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Low fixed-rate 30-year mortgage with little or no down payment
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 0.50% interest rate discount on MaineHousing First Home Loan rate
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Androscoggin County. The Auburn HOMEBuyer Program also requires a minimum income of $25,000 and cash assets below $15,000.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. MaineHousing requires a hoMEworks-approved homebuyer education course before closing. Community Concepts in Lewiston offers HUD-approved courses and can be reached at (800) 866-5588.
- Step 3:
Contact Auburn Community Development. Reach out to the City of Auburn Community Development Department to apply for the Auburn HOMEBuyer Program and confirm current funding availability.
- Step 4:
Open a matched savings account. For the Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program, open a savings account and contribute at least $25 per month for a minimum of six months. The city matches your savings 2
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with a MaineHousing-approved lender to apply for the First Home Loan Program, which offers low fixed-rate 30-year mortgages with the Advantage down payment assistance option.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program limits. The property must be located within Auburn city limits for the Auburn HOMEBuyer Program and must pass a property inspection. Check MaineHousing purchase price limits for your county.
- Step 7:
Submit your applications and close. Work with your lender and housing counselor to submit all program applications. Allow extra time for inspections and program processing.