See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 22, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)

Population: 149,000 | Median home price: $265,000 | Est. closing costs: $5,500 - $8,000

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina and the economic hub of the Midlands region, with a median home price around $265,000 that remains well below the national average. First-time buyers in Columbia can access up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance through the Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program, plus the City of Columbia HOME Homebuyer Assistance program which offers up to 20% of the loan amount toward a down payment. At the state level, the SC Housing Homebuyer Program and Palmetto Home Advantage each provide up to $10,000 or 4% of the loan amount in forgivable assistance, while the Palmetto Heroes Program offers $10,000 for qualifying public service professionals. By combining local and state programs, Columbia homebuyers can potentially stack significant assistance to cover most or all of their down payment and closing costs.

City Programs in Columbia

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Columbia HOME Homebuyer Assistance	Deferred Loan	Up to 20% of the loan amount for down payment assistance	Yes	View →
Columbia Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program	Grant	Monthly homeownership subsidy applied toward mortgage payment (amount varies by household)	No	View →

City of Columbia HOME Homebuyer Assistance

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to 20% of the loan amount for down payment assistance
First-time only:: Yes

Columbia Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Monthly homeownership subsidy applied toward mortgage payment (amount varies by household)
First-time only:: No

County Programs in Richland County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $10,000	Yes	View →

Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program

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

State Programs in South Carolina

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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+	Grant	Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs	No	View →
Palmetto Heroes Program	Forgivable Loan	$10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance	Yes	View →
Palmetto Home Advantage	Forgivable Loan	Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount	No	View →
SC Housing Homebuyer Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance	Yes	View →

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

Palmetto Heroes Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
First-time only:: Yes

Palmetto Home Advantage

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount
First-time only:: No

SC Housing Homebuyer Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
First-time only:: Yes

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
AllSouth Federal Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Program	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Down payment as low as 3%; no origination fees or points	Yes	View →
Central SC Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable 25-year mortgage with payments adjusted to not exceed 25% of gross monthly income	No	View →

AllSouth Federal Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Program

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Down payment as low as 3%; no origination fees or points
First-time only:: Yes

Central SC Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable 25-year mortgage with payments adjusted to not exceed 25% of gross monthly income
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

18 programs available in Columbia. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Richland County. Review income limits on the SC Housing website or contact Richland County Community Development at (803) 929-6000.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Richland County requires participation in their Affordable Housing Counseling and Education Program. The City of Columbia Community Development Department can also direct you to HUD-approved counseling agencies in the area.

Step 3: Contact Richland County Community Development. Call (803) 929-6000 or email ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov to learn about the Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for homes in unincorporated Richland County.

Step 4: Explore City of Columbia programs. Contact the City of Columbia Community Development Department about their HOME Homebuyer Assistance program, which can provide up to 20% of your loan amount toward a down payment for homes within city limits.

Step 5: Get pre-approved through an SC Housing participating lender. Visit the SC Housing website to find approved lenders who can combine your first mortgage with state down payment assistance from the SC Housing Homebuyer Program, Palmetto Home Advantage, or Palmetto Heroes Program.

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. Submit all required documentation and allow 30-60 days for program processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Columbia?+

Columbia buyers can potentially access substantial assistance by stacking programs. The Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. The City of Columbia HOME Homebuyer Assistance provides up to 20% of the loan amount. At the state level, the SC Housing Homebuyer Program offers up to $10,000 in forgivable DPA, and the Palmetto Home Advantage provides up to 4% of the first mortgage amount. Qualifying public service workers can also access $10,000 through the Palmetto Heroes Program. Combined, these programs can cover most or all of the down payment and closing costs on a median-priced Columbia home.

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

Most programs require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years. However, the Palmetto Home Advantage program has no first-time buyer requirement, making it available to repeat buyers as well. The Columbia Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program also does not require first-time buyer status but is limited to current Housing Choice Voucher participants.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

Price limits vary by program. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program has a maximum purchase price of $325,000. The Palmetto Home Advantage has no sales price limit but does have a statewide income limit of $137,500. Richland County and City of Columbia programs may have their own price limits based on current HUD guidelines. Contact each program administrator for the most current limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Richland County requires completion of their Affordable Housing Counseling and Education Program before you can apply. SC Housing programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. You can find HUD-approved counseling agencies in the Columbia area by calling (800) 569-4287 or searching on the HUD website.

Can I use these programs if I am buying in unincorporated Richland County vs. inside Columbia city limits?+

Yes, but different programs apply depending on location. The Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program specifically serves unincorporated Richland County. The City of Columbia HOME Homebuyer Assistance is for homes within city limits. State programs like the SC Housing Homebuyer Program, Palmetto Home Advantage, and Palmetto Heroes apply regardless of whether you buy inside or outside city limits, as long as the home is in South Carolina.