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Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in University City, MO (2026)
University City is a historic inner-ring suburb of St. Louis located in St. Louis County, best known for its vibrant Delmar Loop entertainment district and a population of roughly 34,300. With a median home price near $330,000, buyers here can stack 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 for down payment and closing costs. Uniquely, Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis builds new construction and rehabilitated 3-4 bedroom homes specifically in University City and sells them with affordable 30-year mortgages to income-qualified families. At the state level, the MHDC First Place and Next Step programs provide up to 4% of the loan amount in Cash Assistance Loans paired with below-market first mortgages. Layering a county DPA loan on top of MHDC assistance can eliminate most or all of a buyer's down payment and closing costs in University City.
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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis | Deferred Loan | New construction and rehabbed 3-4 bedroom homes sold with a 30-year affordable mortgage. Homes purchased within St. Louis city limits may be eligible for up to $50,000 in down payment assistance. | 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
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- New construction and rehabbed 3-4 bedroom homes sold with a 30-year affordable mortgage. Homes purchased within St. Louis city limits may be eligible for up to $50,000 in down payment assistance.
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of the St. Louis area median income and first-time homebuyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past three years.
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 local DPA programs. Call Beyond Housing at 314-533-0600 to enroll.
Step 3: Contact Beyond Housing. They administer down payment assistance on behalf of St. Louis County, so a single application opens the door to both the St. Louis County 1st HOME program and Beyond Housing's own DPA loan.
Step 4: Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender. The MHDC First Place and Next Step programs are delivered through a network of approved lenders who can layer in a Cash Assistance Loan of up to 4% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs.
Step 5: For a Habitat home in University City, contact Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis at 314-371-0400 ext. 632 to request a homeownership application. Habitat builds and rehabilitates 3-4 bedroom homes in University City and sells them with affordable 30-year mortgages to families at or below 80% AMI. Buyers complete 250 sweat-equity hours per signer.
Step 6: Find a home that meets program purchase price limits and pass a HUD housing quality inspection. Most DPA programs require the home to be your primary residence.
Step 7: Close and receive DPA funds at closing. Forgiveness clocks typically start at closing; Beyond Housing and St. Louis County DPA loans are generally forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in University City, MO?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in University City?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Habitat for Humanity actually build homes in University City?+−
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