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Get Matched Free →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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| 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 (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
- 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. 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
- 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.