See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Lansing, MI (2026)

Population: 116,512 | Median home price: $145,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,000 - $4,500

Lansing is the capital city of Michigan, located in Ingham County, and offers some of the most generous homebuyer assistance in the state with a median home price of around $145,000. The City of Lansing Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $14,999 as a forgivable loan through the Capital Area Housing Partnership. Ingham County offers an additional program with up to $30,000 in zero-interest, forgivable down payment assistance for homes purchased anywhere in the county. At the state level, the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan adds up to $10,000 in zero-interest assistance, and the HomeBoost Down Payment Assistance grant offers up to $15,000. By stacking city, county, and state programs, Lansing buyers could potentially access over $55,000 in combined assistance, making homeownership remarkably affordable in the capital city.

City Programs in Lansing

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Lansing Down Payment Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $14,999	Yes	View →

City of Lansing Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $14,999
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 →

Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program

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 →

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
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 →

Capital Area Housing Partnership Homebuyer Programs

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Homebuyer education, financial counseling, and down payment assistance coordination
First-time only:: No

Habitat for Humanity Capital Region Homeownership Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

14 programs available in Lansing. See which ones you qualify for.

Free
No credit check
Takes 2 minutes

Are you a first-time homebuyer?

Yes No Not sure

Question 1 of 6

housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income requirements for the Ingham County DPA (single-person household under $56,480 for maximum assistance) and MSHDA programs. Confirm you meet first-time buyer requirements if applicable.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact Capital Area Housing Partnership at 517-332-4663 or visit their office at 600 W Maple St, Suite D, Lansing, MI 48906 for local course options.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MSHDA-approved lender to get pre-approved for an MI Home Loan, which qualifies you for state DPA programs. You must be pre-approved before applying for the Ingham County DPA.

Step 4: Contact Capital Area Housing Partnership. CAHP administers both the City of Lansing DPA and the Ingham County DPA. Reach them at 517-332-4663 or dpa@capitalareahousing.org to discuss which programs you qualify for and begin your application.

Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. For the City of Lansing DPA, the home must be within Lansing city limits and pass a DPA inspection. For the Ingham County DPA, the home can be anywhere in Ingham County.

Step 6: Submit your applications. Complete applications for the City of Lansing DPA can be submitted to leighanna@capitalareahousing.org. Ingham County DPA applications go to dpa@capitalareahousing.org. Contribute at least 1% of the listing price and a minimum $1,000 personal investment for the city program.

Step 7: Close on your home. Work with your lender and CAHP to coordinate closing. The city DPA and county DPA are both structured as forgivable loans with no monthly payments, forgiven after 7 years of owner-occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lansing buyers can stack multiple programs for exceptional assistance. The City of Lansing DPA provides up to $14,999 as a forgivable loan. The Ingham County DPA offers up to $30,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan adds up to $10,000, and the HomeBoost grant offers up to $15,000. Combined, qualified buyers could access over $55,000 in assistance. With a median home price around $145,000, this can cover a very significant portion of a home purchase.

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

Requirements vary by program. The City of Lansing DPA requires you to not have owned a home in the previous three years. The Ingham County DPA does not strictly require first-time buyer status. MSHDA programs generally require first-time buyer status but allow repeat buyers in targeted areas. Habitat for Humanity Capital Region does not require first-time buyer status but has income requirements.

What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+

MSHDA sets purchase price limits that vary by county and are updated periodically. Check current limits at michigan.gov/mshda. The City of Lansing DPA requires homes to be within Lansing city limits and pass a DPA inspection. The Ingham County DPA allows purchases anywhere in Ingham County. With Lansing's median home price of $145,000, most homes in the area fall within typical program limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require completion of a homebuyer education course before closing. Capital Area Housing Partnership offers homebuyer education courses locally and can be reached at 517-332-4663. The City of Lansing also provides a Home Buyer Education Course through its Development Office. Fannie Mae HomeView is a free online option accepted by most programs.

How does the Ingham County DPA forgiveness work?+

The Ingham County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $30,000 as a zero-interest, second mortgage loan with no monthly payments. You must occupy the home as your primary residence for at least 7 years. After 7 years, the entire loan is completely forgiven. If you sell, refinance, or move out before 7 years, the remaining balance becomes due. The program is funded through a $15 million state grant and administered by Capital Area Housing Partnership.

Can I combine the City of Lansing and Ingham County DPA programs?+

The Ingham County DPA can be combined with other governmental and private assistance programs. If you are purchasing within Lansing city limits, you may be eligible for both the City of Lansing DPA (up to $14,999) and the Ingham County DPA (up to $30,000). Contact Capital Area Housing Partnership at 517-332-4663 to discuss stacking options, as they administer both programs and can guide you through the process.