See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in St. Clair Shores, MI (2026)
St. Clair Shores is a lakefront community of about 58,000 residents in Macomb County, situated along the shores of Lake St. Clair in the eastern Detroit suburbs. With a median home price around $228,000, it offers attractive homeownership in a desirable waterfront setting. While the city does not currently offer its own down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several county, state, and federal options. The Macomb Community Action IDA Homebuyer Program provides up to $4,000 in matched savings assistance, and Habitat for Humanity Macomb County offers affordable homeownership opportunities for qualifying families. At the state level, the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000, and the MSHDA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance program offers up to $25,000 for first-generation buyers. The LMCU HomeAssist program can also provide up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost help. By combining these programs, St. Clair Shores buyers can access significant support toward their purchase.
County Programs in Macomb County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb Community Action IDA Homebuyer Program | Grant | Up to $4,000 ($1,000 savings matched 3:1) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $4,000 ($1,000 savings matched 3:1)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Macomb County Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Below-market-price homes with 25-year affordable mortgage; $1,000 down payment required | Yes | 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 25-year affordable mortgage; $1,000 down payment required
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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. Most assistance programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Macomb County. The MSHDA MI Home Loan is available to first-time buyers statewide and repeat buyers in targeted areas.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Michigan State University Extension offers HUD-certified homebuyer education workshops at (586) 469-5180. Completing the course earns your MSHDA Certificate of Completion, which is required for state down payment assistance.
Step 3: Explore the Macomb Community Action IDA program. This matched savings program turns your $1,000 in savings into $4,000 toward your home purchase. Contact Macomb Community Action for enrollment details.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an MSHDA-approved lender to qualify for the MI Home Loan with up to $10,000 in down payment assistance. Ask about the First-Generation DPA program if neither you nor your parents have owned a home, which offers up to $25,000.
Step 5: Check with Lake Michigan Credit Union. The LMCU HomeAssist program provides up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time homebuyers.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your housing counselor and lender to coordinate all assistance programs with your purchase. Habitat for Humanity Macomb County is another option for qualifying families seeking affordable homeownership with a $1,000 down payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in St. Clair Shores?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does St. Clair Shores have its own down payment assistance program?+−
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