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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
Sterling Heights is Michigan's fourth-largest city, located in Macomb County in the northern suburbs of Detroit, with a median home price of around $275,000. While Sterling Heights does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and county programs. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest down payment assistance statewide. The HomeBoost program offers grants of up to $15,000 for qualifying minority first-time homebuyers. Families with children can also build savings toward homeownership through the Macomb Community Action IDA program, which matches every dollar saved 3:1, turning $1,000 in savings into $4,000 for a down payment.
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 → |
| 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
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA has income limits that vary by county. For Macomb County, the limit is $95,900 for 1-2 person households and $110,285 for 3+ person households. A minimum credit score of 640 is required. The HomeBoost program requires income at or below 120% AMI.
Complete homebuyer education. All programs require a homebuyer education course. MSU Extension Macomb Office at (586) 469-7614 offers free HUD-approved homebuyer education workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions. 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 who will process both the first mortgage and the DPA together. Use MSHDA's lender search portal to find approved lenders in Macomb County.
Explore the Macomb Community Action IDA program. If you have a child under 18, contact Christina Stepowski at (586) 469-7378 to enroll in the matched savings program. Save $20 or more per month and receive a 3
Find a home within program limits. The MSHDA program has a statewide purchase price limit of $544,233. Look for properties in Sterling Heights that meet your budget and program requirements.
Submit your applications. Your MSHDA-approved lender will process both the MI Home Loan first mortgage and the MI 10K DPA second mortgage together. You must contribute at least 1% of the purchase price and cannot have more than $7,500 in liquid assets (excluding retirement accounts).