See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in East Lansing, MI (2026)
East Lansing is a vibrant college city in Ingham County, home to Michigan State University, with a median home price around $310,000. Homebuyers in East Lansing have access to some of the strongest local assistance in the state. The City of East Lansing Down Payment Assistance program offers between $1,000 and $30,000 for income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing in select neighborhoods, and the Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $30,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan for buyers anywhere in the county. Capital Area Housing Partnership coordinates homebuyer education and counseling locally, and Habitat for Humanity Capital Region offers affordable homeownership opportunities. Combined with MSHDA state programs offering up to $10,000 through the MI 10K DPA Loan and up to $25,000 through the First-Generation DPA, East Lansing buyers could potentially stack over $60,000 in total assistance.
City Programs in East Lansing
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of East Lansing Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Between $1,000 and $30,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Between $1,000 and $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Ingham County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- No
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 → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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 → |
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Area Housing Partnership Homebuyer Programs | Grant | Homebuyer education, financial counseling, and down payment assistance coordination | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Capital Region Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms | No | View → |
| LMCU HomeAssist Down Payment Assistance | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $10,000 (up to $15,000 in targeted areas) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Homebuyer education, financial counseling, and down payment assistance coordination
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 (up to $15,000 in targeted areas)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of East Lansing DPA and the Ingham County DPA both require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income for the Lansing-East Lansing MSA. The city program requires first-time buyer status (no homeownership in the previous three years).
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP) at 517-332-4663 or info@capitalareahousing.org. CAHP is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and completion of their Home Buyer Education course is required for both the city and county programs. All homebuyer education classes must be completed before closing.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an MSHDA-approved lender to access state-level programs like the MI Home Loan with up to $10,000 in DPA. Your lender will also assist you in applying for the Ingham County DPA funds.
Step 4: Apply for down payment assistance. For the City of East Lansing DPA (up to $30,000), contact CAHP or email the City at grants@cityofeastlansing.com or call Matt Apostle at 517-319-6859. For the Ingham County DPA (up to $30,000), your lender will refer you to CAHP to complete the application process. You must have a signed purchase agreement when applying for county funds.
Step 5: Find a home in East Lansing. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within East Lansing city limits. The city program is limited to select neighborhoods. Your personal investment must equal at least 1% of the purchase price for the city program.
Step 6: Close on your home. Your lender, CAHP, and the city will coordinate the assistance funds at closing. The Ingham County loan is forgiven after 7 years of owner-occupancy. Allow extra time for program paperwork and approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in East Lansing?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Ingham County DPA forgiveness work?+−
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