Homebuyer Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)
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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| Richland County Homeownership Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of the loan amount for down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly homeownership subsidy applied toward mortgage payment (amount varies by household)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Down payment as low as 3%; no origination fees or points
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 25-year mortgage with payments adjusted to not exceed 25% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
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.