See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Detroit, MI (2026)

Population: 645,705 | Median home price: $82,000 | Est. closing costs: $1,500 - $2,500

Detroit is Michigan's largest city and the center of a historic economic revitalization, with a median home price of around $82,000 making it one of the most affordable major cities in the country. The City of Detroit offers a standout Down Payment Assistance Program providing grants of up to $25,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers. Buyers can also access the National Faith Homebuyers Wayne County DPA, a $13,999 forgivable loan at 0% interest forgiven after 5 years, and the Rehabbed and Ready DPA Program for homes listed through the Detroit Land Bank Authority. At the state level, the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest down payment assistance. By combining city, county, and state programs, Detroit homebuyers could potentially access over $48,000 in total assistance.

City Programs in Detroit

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program	Grant	Up to $25,000	Yes	View →

Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Wayne County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
National Faith Homebuyers Wayne County DPA	Forgivable Loan	$13,999	Yes	View →

National Faith Homebuyers Wayne County DPA

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $13,999
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Michigan

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
HomeBoost Down Payment Assistance	Grant	Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders)	Yes	View →
MSHDA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance	Deferred Loan	Up to $25,000	Yes	View →
MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan	Zero-Interest Loan	Up to $10,000	Yes	View →

HomeBoost Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders)
First-time only:: Yes

MSHDA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Up to $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

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 →

FHA Loans

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

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

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

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

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

HUD $100 Down Program

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

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

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
Rehabbed and Ready Down Payment Assistance Program	Grant	Up to 20% of purchase price	No	View →

Rehabbed and Ready Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to 20% of purchase price
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

13 programs available in Detroit. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Detroit programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). The City of Detroit DPA also requires 12 months of Detroit residency. Review each program's requirements to determine which ones you qualify for.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. National Faith Homebuyers at (313) 255-9500 offers courses and is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency serving the Detroit metro area.

Step 3: Get pre-qualified by a lender. For the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan, you must work with an MSHDA-approved lender. For the Detroit DPA, any participating lender can pre-qualify you. Contact the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520 (option 3) for guidance.

Step 4: Find a home within program limits. The MSHDA program has a statewide purchase price limit of $544,233. The National Faith Wayne County DPA has a $374,199 limit. The Detroit DPA requires a 1-2 unit property within Detroit city limits.

Step 5: Submit your applications. For the Detroit DPA, apply online at detroitmi.gov/DPA with your completed homebuyer education certificate, lender pre-qualification letter, and signed purchase agreement. You must contribute a minimum of $1,000 toward the purchase.

Step 6: Close on your home. Once approved, the grant or loan funds are applied at closing to cover your down payment, closing costs, prepaids, and principal reduction. Maintain the property as your primary residence to meet program residency requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Detroit?+

Detroit homebuyers can access substantial assistance by stacking multiple programs. The City of Detroit DPA provides grants of up to $25,000. The National Faith Homebuyers Wayne County DPA offers a $13,999 forgivable loan. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 statewide. Combined, eligible buyers could access over $48,000 in total assistance, though not all programs can be stacked together.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

The City of Detroit DPA and the National Faith Wayne County DPA both require that you have not held marketable interest in a property for the last 3 years. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA is available to first-time homebuyers statewide and repeat homebuyers in targeted areas. The Rehabbed and Ready DPA Program does not require first-time buyer status.

Do I have to live in Detroit to qualify for the city DPA?+

Yes, for the City of Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program, you must have lived in the City of Detroit for the last 12 months, or you must prove you lost a home to property tax foreclosure within Detroit between 2010 and 2016. The National Faith Wayne County DPA and MSHDA programs do not have a Detroit residency requirement.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

Price limits vary by program. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA allows purchases up to $544,233. The National Faith Wayne County DPA has a purchase price limit of $374,199. The City of Detroit DPA does not list a specific purchase price cap but requires the property to be a 1-2 unit home within Detroit city limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

All programs require completion of a homebuyer education course from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. National Faith Homebuyers at (313) 255-9500 is a HUD-approved counseling agency serving the Detroit metro area that offers homebuyer education courses. You can also call (800) 569-4287 to find other HUD-approved counselors near you.

What is the Rehabbed and Ready program?+

The Rehabbed and Ready Down Payment Assistance Program is a partnership between National Faith Homebuyers, the Detroit Land Bank Authority, and the Rocket Community Fund. It provides grants of up to 20% of the purchase price for buyers purchasing a Rehabbed and Ready home listed by the Detroit Land Bank Authority. You must have lived in Detroit for at least 12 months and contribute a minimum of $1,000 toward the purchase.