See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Kirkwood, MO (2026)
Kirkwood is a historic inner-ring suburb of St. Louis in St. Louis County, known for its walkable downtown, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. With a population near 29,300 and a median home price around $420,000, Kirkwood ranks as one of the more expensive submarkets in St. Louis County. Buyers here can still combine meaningful assistance: the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program offers up to $10,000 as a zero-interest forgivable second mortgage, Beyond Housing administers an additional forgivable DPA loan for St. Louis County residents, and the CAASTLC Individual Development Account program matches savings up to $4,000 toward down payment and closing costs. At the state level, the MHDC First Place and Next Step programs pair below-market fixed-rate first mortgages with Cash Assistance Loans of up to 4% of the loan amount. Because Kirkwood home prices often exceed HUD HOME purchase price caps, many DPA-eligible buyers focus on condos, townhomes, or smaller single-family homes to stay within program limits.
County Programs in St. Louis County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 zero-interest forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 zero-interest forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Missouri
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MHDC First Place Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | 4% of the total first mortgage amount as a 0% interest, 100% forgivable second loan (Cash Assistance Loan) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage). Buyers who skip the assistance typically get a rate 0.25%-0.50% lower. | Yes | View → |
| MHDC Next Step Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA). | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 4% of the total first mortgage amount as a 0% interest, 100% forgivable second loan (Cash Assistance Loan) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage). Buyers who skip the assistance typically get a rate 0.25%-0.50% lower.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA).
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Housing Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| CAASTLC Individual Development Account (IDA) Program | Grant | Matched savings grant: every $1 deposited is matched with $1 or $2 (depending on enrollment), up to $2,000 per year in match funds for two years (up to $4,000 in match) toward down payment and closing costs. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Matched savings grant: every $1 deposited is matched with $1 or $2 (depending on enrollment), up to $2,000 per year in match funds for two years (up to $4,000 in match) toward down payment and closing costs.
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility and the Kirkwood-specific price reality. Most St. Louis County DPA programs require household income at or below 80% of area median income and first-time homebuyer status. Because Kirkwood's median home price sits near $420,000, confirm the home you're targeting falls within each program's HUD HOME purchase price cap.
Step 2: Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. Beyond Housing is the largest HUD-approved counseling agency in the St. Louis metro area and is the required counselor for most DPA programs covering Kirkwood. Call Beyond Housing at 314-533-0600 to enroll.
Step 3: Contact Beyond Housing to apply for DPA. Beyond Housing administers down payment assistance on behalf of St. Louis County, so one application covers both the St. Louis County 1st HOME program and Beyond Housing's own DPA loan.
Step 4: Consider the CAASTLC Individual Development Account if you can save toward closing over 1-2 years. The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County matches $1 or $2 for every $1 you deposit, up to $2,000 per year in match funds, for a maximum of $4,000 in match toward down payment and closing costs. Call CAASTLC at 314-863-0015.
Step 5: Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender. The MHDC First Place and Next Step programs are delivered through approved lenders who can layer in a Cash Assistance Loan of up to 4% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs. Ask upfront whether the lender participates in MHDC programs; it is a simple yes or no.
Step 6: Find a Kirkwood home that meets program purchase price limits. Condos, townhomes, and smaller single-family homes in older Kirkwood neighborhoods are the most likely candidates for DPA-eligible purchases.
Step 7: Close and receive DPA funds at closing. Beyond Housing and St. Louis County DPA loans are generally forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy; MHDC Cash Assistance Loans forgive over 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Kirkwood, MO?+−
Is there a Kirkwood-specific down payment assistance program?+−
Does Kirkwood's higher home price disqualify me from DPA?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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