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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Portage, MI (2026)
Portage is a growing city in Kalamazoo County in southwest Michigan with a median home price around $275,000. Homebuyers in Portage can access several programs at the city, county, and state level. The City of Portage offers CDBG-funded down payment assistance for income-eligible buyers purchasing in target neighborhoods, and the Kalamazoo County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to $5,000 in down payment help plus $2,000 in closing costs through a partnership with Independent Bank. KNHS Down Payment Assistance offers up to $5,000 to $15,000 depending on income and funding, and the LMCU HomeAssist program provides up to $10,000 for qualifying first-time buyers. 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, Portage buyers have the potential to stack significant assistance toward their home purchase.
City Programs in Portage
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Portage CDBG Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Varies based on need and funding availability | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Varies based on need and funding availability
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Kalamazoo County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $5,000 from Treasurer plus up to $2,000 from Independent Bank for closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 from Treasurer plus up to $2,000 from Independent Bank for closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms | No | View → |
| KNHS Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $5,000 to $15,000 depending on income and funding availability | No | View → |
| LMCU HomeAssist Down Payment Assistance | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $10,000 (up to $15,000 in targeted areas) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 to $15,000 depending on income and funding availability
- 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
Check your eligibility. Most Portage-area programs require household income at or below 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income for Kalamazoo County. The Kalamazoo County Treasurer program allows incomes up to 120% AMI, while the City of Portage CDBG program requires income at or below 80% AMI.
Complete homebuyer education. Contact Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS) at 269-364-2533 for HUD-certified homebuyer education and counseling. KNHS is a NeighborWorks America member and offers free classes covering budgeting, credit, and the home-buying process. Completing their program may also qualify you for KNHS down payment assistance.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact Independent Bank at 269-491-3049 to explore the Kalamazoo County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program, which requires financing through Independent Bank. You can also work with any MSHDA-approved lender to access state-level programs like the MI Home Loan with up to $10,000 in DPA.
Apply for down payment assistance. For the City of Portage CDBG program, contact Tina Perry at 269-324-9280. For the Kalamazoo County Treasurer program (up to $5,000 DPA plus $2,000 closing costs), work with Independent Bank. For KNHS DPA (up to $5,000 to $15,000), contact KNHS at 269-364-2533.
Find a home in Portage. Work with your real estate agent to find a home that meets program requirements. The City of Portage CDBG program is limited to select target neighborhoods, while the Kalamazoo County program covers all of Kalamazoo County. You must contribute at least $1,000 toward the purchase for the county program.
Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the assistance funds at closing. Allow extra processing time for program paperwork and approvals.