See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 20, 2026
St. Louis, MO First-Time Homebuyer Programs & DPA Guide (2026)
St. Louis is one of the most affordable major metros in the country for first-time buyers, with a typical home price of about $223,000 and below-national-average closing costs. On top of that, buyers here can stack several layers of assistance. HomeSTL, the city's flagship program run by the St. Louis Development Corporation, offers up to $50,000 as a 0% forgivable loan for first-time buyers purchasing inside the city limits — though the current ARPA-funded round is fully allocated and paused while SLDC pursues additional funding. Beyond Housing, a NeighborWorks affiliate and the largest HUD-approved housing counseling agency in the region, provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance forgiven after 5 years. Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis partners with lower-income families on 0% interest mortgages paired with sweat equity.
On the state level, every eligible Missouri buyer can layer on the Missouri Housing Development Commission's First Place Loan (up to 4% of the purchase price in forgivable Cash Assistance) or the Next Step Loan (up to 4% for repeat buyers and those above First Place income limits), plus a Mortgage Credit Certificate worth 25% of annual mortgage interest as a federal tax credit. Federal programs — FHA, VA, USDA (in eligible outlying areas), Fannie Mae HomeReady, and Freddie Mac Home Possible — round out the toolkit. For most first-time buyers in St. Louis, the right starting point is a HUD-approved housing counselor (Beyond Housing, Justine PETERSEN, or the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis) who can map which programs you qualify for and line them up with a participating lender.
City Programs in St. Louis
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeSTL First-Time Homebuyer Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $50,000 ($40,000 base + $10,000 Qualified Census Tract bonus) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 ($40,000 base + $10,000 Qualified Census Tract bonus)
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Housing Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage on a new or rehabilitated Habitat home | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage on a new or rehabilitated Habitat home
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your income against 80% and 120% AMI for the St. Louis MSA. Beyond Housing DPA requires ≤80% AMI; HomeSTL allows up to 120% AMI; Habitat STL typically serves 25-80% AMI households.
Pull your credit report. Most St. Louis programs require a 640+ FICO when paired with MHDC mortgages; Beyond Housing and Habitat work with lower scores through counseling.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Beyond Housing's free virtual orientation is the simplest entry point for most St. Louis buyers and is required at least 10 days before closing for their DPA.
Meet one-on-one with a HUD-certified housing counselor (Beyond Housing, Justine PETERSEN, or the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis) to map every program you qualify for and layer them correctly.
Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender who also works with HomeSTL and Beyond Housing. Ask specifically whether they can stack MHDC + HomeSTL (when open) + Beyond Housing on the same loan.
Shop for a home inside your eligibility zone. HomeSTL is City of St. Louis only. Confirm with your lender whether each program applies to your target property before writing an offer.
Reserve funds. MHDC funds are reserved by your lender at loan application. HomeSTL reservations are made through your lender when the program is accepting new applications. Beyond Housing DPA is reserved once you complete orientation and are under contract.
Close and move in. Plan to occupy as your primary residence for the full forgiveness term on any forgivable loan (5 years for Beyond Housing, 10 years for MHDC CAL, 15 years for HomeSTL).