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Get Matched Free →Pontiac, MI First-Time Homebuyer Programs & Down Payment Assistance (2026)
Pontiac offers several pathways to make homeownership more affordable, from city-led new construction programs to county and state down payment assistance. With a median home price around $150,000 — well below the national average — Pontiac is one of the most accessible housing markets in Metro Detroit. Buyers can stack multiple programs including the 100 Homes for Pontiac initiative, Oakland County grants, and Michigan state-level assistance worth up to $25,000 to significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Whether you are a first-time buyer or returning to homeownership, this guide covers every program available to help you purchase a home in Pontiac.
City Programs in Pontiac
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Homes for Pontiac | Grant | — | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- First-time only:
- No
County Programs in Oakland County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHN Oakland County HOME Homebuyer Subsidy | Forgivable Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | $5,000 grant | Yes | View → |
| Oakland Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program | Grant | Monthly mortgage assistance (housing subsidy applied toward mortgage payment) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly mortgage assistance (housing subsidy applied toward mortgage payment)
- 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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Housing Network Homebuyer Education and Counseling | Grant | Free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one housing counseling | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms | No | View → |
| OLHSA Homebuyer Education and Counseling | Grant | — | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one housing counseling
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Start by completing a HUD-approved homebuyer education course through OLHSA in Pontiac or Community Housing Network, as most programs require a certificate
Check your eligibility for Michigan state programs like MSHDA HomeBoost (up to $25,000) and MI 10K DPA ($10,000 loan) through an approved lender
Apply for the Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program through Independent Bank for a $5,000 grant if you are a first-time buyer
Contact Community Housing Network about the HOME Homebuyer Subsidy (up to $25,000) if purchasing a CHN-rehabilitated home
Inquire with the Pontiac Housing Commission about available homes through the 100 Homes for Pontiac program
Work with your lender to combine eligible programs and finalize your mortgage with all assistance applied at closing