See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 1, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Wilkes-Barre, PA (2026)

Population: 44,853 | Median home price: $184,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,500 - $5,500

Wilkes-Barre is the county seat of Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania, situated along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley. With a median home price around $184,000, Wilkes-Barre offers significantly more affordable homeownership compared to the national average. Local buyers can access the Growing Homeowners Initiative through HDC NEPA and Luzerne County, which provides up to $7,500 in closing cost assistance after completing homebuyer education courses. At the state level, the PHFA Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years (K-FIT) program offers up to 5% of the purchase price in forgivable assistance, while the HOMEstead program provides up to $10,000 in a forgivable second mortgage. By combining county and state programs, Wilkes-Barre buyers can potentially stack over $17,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.

City Programs in Wilkes-Barre

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Wilkes-Barre ARPA Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance	Grant	Up to $7,500	No	View →

Wilkes-Barre ARPA Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $7,500
First-time only:: No

County Programs in Luzerne County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Growing Homeowners Initiative (Luzerne County)	Forgivable Loan	Up to $7,500	Yes	View →

Growing Homeowners Initiative (Luzerne County)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $7,500
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 →

PHFA HFA Preferred Grant

Type:: Grant
Amount:: $500
First-time only:: No

PHFA HOMEstead Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Up to 4% of purchase price or market value, or $6,000, whichever is less
First-time only:: No

PHFA Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years (K-FIT)

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 →

FHA Loans

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

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

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

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

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

HUD $100 Down Program

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

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

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
NACA Purchase Program	Zero-Interest Loan	No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, and below-market fixed interest rate	No	View →
Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home	No	View →

NACA Purchase Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, and below-market fixed interest rate
First-time only:: No

Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

15 programs available in Wilkes-Barre. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs in the Wilkes-Barre area require household income at or below HUD's low-to-moderate income limits for Luzerne County. Review the specific income and purchase price requirements for each program you're interested in.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Growing Homeowners Initiative requires completion of three homebuyer courses through HDC NEPA. The Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) of Luzerne County at 165 Amber Lane, Wilkes-Barre also offers HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education workshops. Call CEO at 570-826-0510 to register.

Step 3: Contact HDC NEPA for county assistance. The Housing Development Corporation of NEPA administers the Growing Homeowners Initiative, which provides up to $7,500 in closing cost assistance for Luzerne County homebuyers. Visit their website or call to start your application.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with a PHFA-approved lender to access state programs like K-FIT and HOMEstead. A PHFA-approved lender can combine your first mortgage with state down payment assistance.

Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. Your home must be in Luzerne County for the Growing Homeowners Initiative. Confirm any purchase price limits with your lender and program counselor.

Step 6: Submit your applications and close. Work with your housing counselor and lender to submit all required documentation. Allow time for program processing alongside your mortgage approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Wilkes-Barre?+

Wilkes-Barre buyers can access several layers of assistance. The Growing Homeowners Initiative through Luzerne County and HDC NEPA offers up to $7,500 in closing cost assistance. At the state level, the PHFA K-FIT program provides up to 5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, the HOMEstead program offers up to $10,000 in a forgivable second mortgage, and the Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan provides up to 4% of the purchase price or $6,000. By combining programs, buyers could potentially receive over $17,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

The Growing Homeowners Initiative through Luzerne County generally targets first-time homebuyers. However, some state programs like the PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan do not require first-time buyer status. The PHFA defines a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years, and certain exceptions apply for veterans and buyers in targeted areas.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

Purchase price limits vary by program. PHFA programs set limits based on county, which change annually. Contact a PHFA-approved lender for current Luzerne County purchase price limits. The Growing Homeowners Initiative requires the home to be in Luzerne County but specific price caps should be confirmed with HDC NEPA.

What homebuyer education is required?+

The Growing Homeowners Initiative requires completion of three homebuyer courses through HDC NEPA. For PHFA state programs, a HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required, available online through eHome America or Framework. The Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) of Luzerne County at 570-826-0510 also offers HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and education workshops in Wilkes-Barre.

Are there any programs specifically for Wilkes-Barre residents?+

The City of Wilkes-Barre previously offered a Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance program funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, providing up to $7,500 in grants. However, this program is currently closed as ARPA funding has been fully allocated. The primary local program now available is the Growing Homeowners Initiative, which covers all of Luzerne County. Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity also serves the Wilkes-Barre area with affordable homeownership opportunities for qualifying low-income families.