See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
Grand Rapids is West Michigan's largest city and one of the fastest-growing metros in the state, with a median home price of around $285,000. The City of Grand Rapids offers a Homebuyer Assistance Fund providing up to $7,500 as a forgivable loan at 0% interest, forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. Lake Michigan Credit Union's HomeAssist program offers qualifying first-time buyers up to $10,000 (or $15,000 in targeted areas) as a zero-interest second mortgage. At the state level, the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest down payment assistance. By combining local and state programs, Grand Rapids homebuyers could potentially access over $27,500 in total assistance.
City Programs in Grand Rapids
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Homebuyer Assistance Fund | Forgivable Loan | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- 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 → |
- 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMCU HomeAssist Down Payment Assistance | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $10,000 (up to $15,000 in targeted areas) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 (up to $15,000 in targeted areas)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The Grand Rapids Homebuyer Assistance Fund requires low- to moderate-income status, no more than $10,000 in household assets, and no homeownership in the past 3 years. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA has income limits that vary by county, with a minimum credit score of 640.
Complete homebuyer education. All programs require a homebuyer education course. ICCF Community Homes at (616) 336-9333 is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Grand Rapids offering courses for $20 per person. Certificates are approved by both HUD and MSHDA.
Get pre-qualified by a lender. For the MSHDA MI 10K DPA, you must work with an MSHDA-approved lender. For the Grand Rapids Homebuyer Assistance Fund, contact the Community Development Department at (616) 456-3677 or communitydev@grcity.us for guidance on participating lenders.
Find a home within program limits. The MSHDA program has a statewide purchase price limit of $544,233. The Grand Rapids Homebuyer Assistance Fund requires the property to be within Grand Rapids city limits and it must pass a detailed inspection.
Submit your applications. Apply for the Grand Rapids Homebuyer Assistance Fund through the City's Community Development Department. For the MSHDA MI 10K DPA, your MSHDA-approved lender will process both the first mortgage and DPA together. You must contribute at least 1% of the purchase price toward the MSHDA loan.
Close on your home and maintain residency. The Grand Rapids HAF requires 5 years of owner-occupancy for the loan to be fully forgiven. The MSHDA DPA is due upon sale, transfer, or refinance.