Homebuyer Programs in Hattiesburg, MS (2026)

Last updated March 27, 2026 | Population: 48,000 | Median home price: $185,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,500 - $5,500

Skyline of Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg is a vibrant university city in southeastern Mississippi known as the Hub City for its historic role as a railroad junction. Home to the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, Hattiesburg offers an affordable housing market with a median home price around $185,000 — well below the national average.

First-time homebuyers in Hattiesburg have access to several layers of assistance. The City of Hattiesburg operates its own HOME-funded down payment assistance program offering up to $20,000 in forgivable loans. Mississippi Home Corporation provides statewide programs including the Smart6, Easy8, and Trusty10 options with thousands in down payment help. Additional support comes from nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt, the Grow Homeownership program through the Renaissance Community Loan Fund, the FHLB Dallas HELP grant program, and Southern Bancorp's Wealth Builders initiative.

With closing costs in the Hattiesburg area typically ranging from $3,500 to $5,500, many buyers find that combining city, state, and nonprofit programs can cover most or all of their upfront costs.

Top Homebuyer Programs in Hattiesburg

City of Hattiesburg Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000
First-time only:
Yes
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
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
FHLB Dallas HELP Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $20,000
First-time only:
Yes
Grow Homeownership Mississippi (RCLF)
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
$10,000
First-time only:
No
Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable mortgage with no down payment
First-time only:
No
Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $12,000
First-time only:
No
MHC Easy8 Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $8,000
First-time only:
Yes
MHC Housing Assistance for Teachers (HAT)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $6,000
First-time only:
No
MHC Smart6 Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $6,000
First-time only:
No
MHC Trusty10 Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
No
Mississippi Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $2,000 per year (tax credit)
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

  1. Step 1:

    Check your eligibility for Mississippi Home Corporation statewide programs including Smart6, Easy8, Trusty10, and the Housing Assistance for Teachers program at mshomecorp.com

  2. Step 2:

    Contact the City of Hattiesburg Community Development Department at (601) 554-1006 or email cdbg@hattiesburgms.com to learn about the city's $20,000 forgivable down payment assistance program

  3. Step 3:

    Complete a homebuyer education course through a HUD-approved counseling agency, which is required for most programs

  4. Step 4:

    Reach out to Southern Bancorp in Hattiesburg to ask about the Wealth Builders down payment assistance program offering up to $12,000 in forgivable assistance

  5. Step 5:

    Contact the Renaissance Community Loan Fund at rclfms.com about the Grow Homeownership program and ask about accessing FHLB Dallas HELP grants of up to $20,000

  6. Step 6:

    If you are interested in a Habitat for Humanity home, contact Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt at (601) 582-4663

  7. Step 7:

    Work with a participating lender to combine the programs you qualify for and submit your mortgage application

Frequently Asked Questions

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