See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 20, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in St. Charles, MO (2026)
St. Charles is a historic riverfront city northwest of St. Louis and the county seat of St. Charles County, with a typical home value of roughly $297,000 — noticeably more affordable than many St. Louis-metro suburbs. The primary local assistance for St. Charles buyers is the St. Charles County HOME Down Payment Loan Program, which provides up to $10,000 as a zero-interest second mortgage forgivable after 5 years. Unlike many DPA programs, it is not restricted to first-time buyers. On top of that, Missouri Housing Development Commission programs (MHDC First Place and Next Step) provide up to 4% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, and Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County builds affordable homes with 0% interest mortgages. Stacking the $10,000 county HOME loan with MHDC's 4% assistance can put well over $20,000 toward a St. Charles home purchase.
County Programs in St. Charles County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Charles County HOME Down Payment Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 as a zero-interest forgivable second-mortgage loan for down payment and eligible closing costs. | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 as a zero-interest forgivable second-mortgage loan for down payment and eligible closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Missouri
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MHDC First Place 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 below-market fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA). | 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:
- Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA).
- 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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity St. Charles County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built or rehabilitated home sold with a 0% interest mortgage; monthly payment sized to be affordable to the family's income. | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat-built or rehabilitated home sold with a 0% interest mortgage; monthly payment sized to be affordable to the family's income.
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Confirm eligibility. The St. Charles County HOME DPA is limited to households at or below 80% of the St. Louis MSA Area Median Income. The home must be inside St. Charles city limits (or another St. Charles Urban County jurisdiction) and outside a designated flood zone.
Complete homebuyer education. Beyond Housing is an approved housing counseling agency that can provide the required education and loan counseling. Education is mandatory for the HOME DPA and for all MHDC programs.
Contact the City of St. Charles Community Development Department at 636-949-3214 or cdbg@stcharlescitymo.gov, or the St. Charles County Community Development office at 636-949-7900, to confirm funding availability and request the current HOME DPA application packet.
Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender. Ask about the Cash Assistance Loan of up to 4% through MHDC First Place (first-time buyers) or Next Step (repeat buyers welcome).
Identify an eligible home. Confirm the property is in the St. Charles Urban County, is not in a flood zone, and can pass the program's inspection requirements.
Submit the complete HOME DPA application with income documentation, lender pre-approval, purchase contract, and inspection reports. Expect the county to purchase the second mortgage from the originating counseling agency after underwriting.
Close on the home. Your lender, title company, and housing counselor will coordinate the $10,000 forgivable second mortgage and any MHDC Cash Assistance Loan at closing. Budget roughly $6,000-$9,000 for typical closing costs on a median-priced St. Charles home.