See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Lewiston, ME (2026)
Lewiston is Maine's second-largest city, located in Androscoggin County along the Androscoggin River across from its twin city Auburn. With a median home price around $325,000 and a revitalizing downtown attracting younger professionals, Lewiston offers some of the most affordable homebuying opportunities in southern Maine. The city stands out for having two strong local programs: the Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program provides 2:1 matched savings toward your down payment, and the Lewiston HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program offers a $5,000 grant plus a forgivable loan of up to $8,000. On top of those, MaineHousing's Advantage program adds a $5,000 grant, and the First Generation Program provides $10,000 for qualifying buyers. By stacking city and state programs, Lewiston homebuyers can access significant assistance toward their purchase.
City Programs in Lewiston
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | $5,000 grant (5:1 match on $1,000 contribution) plus $2,000 forgivable loan; up to $8,000 forgivable loan for extremely low-income households | Yes | View → |
| Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | 2:1 matched savings; half as grant, half as 0% forgivable loan | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000 grant (5:1 match on $1,000 contribution) plus $2,000 forgivable loan; up to $8,000 forgivable loan for extremely low-income households
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 2:1 matched savings; half as grant, half as 0% forgivable loan
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Maine
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Concepts Self-Help Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Opportunity to build a new affordable home with sweat equity | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Opportunity to build a new affordable home with sweat equity
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Both Lewiston city programs require low- to moderate-income status (at or below 80% AMI for Androscoggin County). The HOME program also requires first-time buyer status. Verify your eligibility with the city or a MaineHousing-approved lender.
Step 2: Start saving with the Lewiston-Auburn Homebuyer Loan Program. Open a savings account with the city and contribute at least $25 per month. After a minimum of 6 months, the city matches $2 for every $1 you save, with half as a grant and half as a 0% forgivable loan.
Step 3: Complete homebuyer education. The Lewiston HOME program requires 10 hours of homebuyer education. Community Concepts at 240 Bates Street in Lewiston offers HUD-certified courses. Call (207) 795-4065 or (800) 866-5588. This also satisfies the MaineHousing Advantage requirement.
Step 4: Apply for the Lewiston HOME Homebuyer Assistance. Contribute $1,000 toward your down payment and the city provides a 5:1 match of $5,000 as a grant, plus a $2,000 forgivable loan (up to $8,000 for extremely low-income buyers). Contact ECDevelopment@lewistonmaine.gov.
Step 5: Contact a MaineHousing-approved lender. Apply for the First Home Loan Program with the $5,000 Advantage grant or the $10,000 First Generation grant to stack on top of your city assistance.
Step 6: Find a home within program limits and close. Your lender will coordinate the MaineHousing loan and city grants. All assistance is credited at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Lewiston?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
How does the Lewiston-Auburn matched savings program work?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there programs for building a new home in Lewiston?+−
What is the maximum home price in Lewiston?+−
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