See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 1, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania, located along the Susquehanna River in Dauphin County, and serves as a center for government, healthcare, and education in the region. With a median home price around $235,000, homebuyers in Harrisburg can access several layers of assistance to make ownership more affordable. At the state level, the PHFA Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years (K-FIT) program offers 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, while the PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan provides up to $6,000 at zero interest, and the PHFA HOMEstead Program offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. Locally, the Dauphin County First-Time Homebuyer Program provides up to $3,000 toward purchase costs, and qualified buyers can also apply for up to $15,000 through the FHLBank Pittsburgh First Front Door Program. By combining state and local programs, Harrisburg homebuyers could potentially stack over $30,000 in assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Dauphin County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dauphin County First-Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $3,000 | Yes | View → |
| Dauphin County Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program | Grant | Mortgage payment assistance for up to 15 years (no time limit for elderly/disabled) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $3,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Mortgage payment assistance for up to 15 years (no time limit for elderly/disabled)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Pennsylvania
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Pittsburgh First Front Door Program | Grant | Up to $15,000 grant | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg Area | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase at no profit with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase at no profit with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Dauphin County under the PHFA programs and the Dauphin County First-Time Homebuyer Program. Most programs require that you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region offers first-time homebuyer education workshops on the first, second, and third Tuesday of each month at 2100 North 6th Street, Harrisburg. Registration is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Call (717) 238-9540 to register.
Step 3: Contact Dauphin County Economic Development. Reach the Dauphin County Economic Development Corporation at (717) 780-6250 to apply for the county's $3,000 first-time homebuyer loan. You will need at least $1,000 in personal funds.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through a PHFA-approved lender. Visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency website or call (855) 827-3466 to find a participating lender who can process PHFA loan products including K-FIT, Keystone Advantage, and HOMEstead assistance.
Step 5: Apply for the FHLBank Pittsburgh First Front Door grant. Work with a participating bank or credit union to apply for up to $15,000 in grant assistance. You will need to contribute at least $1,500 of your own funds toward down payment and closing costs.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your lender and real estate agent to find a home within program price limits. Expect the full process from pre-approval to closing to take 60 to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Harrisburg?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use Habitat for Humanity to buy a home in Harrisburg?+−
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