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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie in the state's northwest corner. With a median home price around $165,000, Erie offers highly affordable homeownership opportunities compared to much of the state. First-time buyers can access substantial assistance through the City of Erie First Time Homebuyer Program, which provides up to $24,999 for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation. The Saint Martin Center First Time Homebuyers Project offers additional down payment and closing cost assistance through Erie County's Act 137 Affordable Housing Fund, and the Homeownership First Program provides up to $5,000 in assistance. Erie FCU participates in FHLBank Pittsburgh's First Front Door grant programs offering up to $15,000, with the Keys program offering up to $20,000 for first-generation buyers. By combining local, state, and federal programs, Erie homebuyers may be able to stack tens of thousands of dollars in assistance toward their purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Erie
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Erie First Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $24,999 for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation | Yes | View → |
| Saint Martin Center First Time Homebuyers Project | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies; includes $1,000 grant from Catholic Charities upon completing homebuyer education) | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| Erie FCU FHLBank First Front Door Program | Grant | Up to $15,000 grant (First Front Door) or up to $20,000 grant (First Front Door Keys for first-generation buyers) | Yes | View → |
| Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 0% interest 30-year mortgage on a Habitat-built or renovated home | Yes | View → |
| Homeownership First Program (Erie County) | Grant | Up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania LIFT Program | Deferred Loan | Variable based on individual assessment (no pre-set maximum) | No | View → |
| PHFA HFA Preferred Grant | Grant | $500 | No | View → |
| PHFA HOMEstead Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to 4% of purchase price or market value, or $6,000, whichever is less | No | View → |
| PHFA Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years (K-FIT) | Forgivable Loan | 5% of the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $24,999 for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies; includes $1,000 grant from Catholic Charities upon completing homebuyer education)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 grant (First Front Door) or up to $20,000 grant (First Front Door Keys for first-generation buyers)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 0% interest 30-year mortgage on a Habitat-built or renovated home
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Variable based on individual assessment (no pre-set maximum)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $500
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of purchase price or market value, or $6,000, whichever is less
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Erie County, though the FHLB First Front Door Keys program extends to 120% AMI for first-generation buyers. Contact Saint Martin Center at 814-452-6113 ext. 206 or the City of Erie at 814-870-1263 to confirm your eligibility.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in a free homebuyer education course offered by Saint Martin Center in Erie. Completing the course qualifies you for a $1,000 down payment grant from Catholic Charities and satisfies PHFA and most local program requirements.
- Step 3:
Review your credit and finances. Work with Saint Martin Center for free budget counseling and financial literacy workshops to ensure you meet minimum credit score requirements (typically 660 for PHFA programs, 620 for NeighborWorks LIFT).
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact a PHFA-approved lender or Erie Federal Credit Union to get pre-approved. Ask about combining a Keystone Home Loan with K-FIT or Keystone Advantage assistance, and inquire about FHLB First Front Door or Keys grant eligibility.
- Step 5:
Apply for local assistance. Once pre-approved, apply for the City of Erie First Time Homebuyer Program by submitting a Housing Intake Form on the city's website or calling 814-870-1263. Also contact Saint Martin Center about the Erie County Act 137 assistance and the Homeownership First Program.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program guidelines. Search for homes in Erie that meet program requirements. City of Erie program funds require the home to meet city property maintenance standards.
- Step 7:
Complete your purchase. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the closing process, ensuring all assistance funds are applied correctly to your down payment and closing costs.