Homebuyer Programs in Rock Hill, SC (2026)
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Charlotte metro area, with a median home price around $325,000 that offers strong value compared to neighboring Charlotte, NC. First-time buyers in Rock Hill can access up to $5,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance through the Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill (HDCRH) First-Time Homebuyer Program. At the state level, the SC Housing Homebuyer Program provides up to $10,000 in forgivable DPA, the Palmetto Home Advantage offers up to 4% of the loan amount with no first-time buyer requirement, and the Palmetto Heroes Program provides $10,000 for qualifying public service professionals. Habitat for Humanity of York County also builds affordable homes for families earning 30-60% of AMI. By combining the HDCRH program with state assistance, Rock Hill buyers can stack up to $15,000 or more in forgivable down payment help.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Rock Hill
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill First-Time Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $5,000 | 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 → |
| Family Trust Federal Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage | Zero-Interest Loan | 100% financing available (no down payment required on qualifying loans) | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of York County Homeowner Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with payments adjusted to household 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- 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:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 100% financing available (no down payment required on qualifying loans)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with payments adjusted to household 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. The HDCRH program requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for York County. SC Housing programs have their own income limits. Contact HDCRH at (803) 324-1105 to review your eligibility.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. The Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill offers a required First-Time Home Buyer Education Course covering home purchase counseling, credit repair guidance, and home maintenance. Classes are available both virtually and in person. Contact HDCRH at (803) 324-1105 to register.
- Step 3:
Apply for Rock Hill down payment assistance. After completing the education course, apply through HDCRH for up to $5,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance. The home must be within Rock Hill city limits and serve as your primary residence.
- Step 4:
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 (up to $10,000), Palmetto Home Advantage (up to 4% of loan amount), or Palmetto Heroes Program ($10,000 for public service workers).
- Step 5:
Consider Habitat for Humanity of York County. For families earning 30-60% of AMI who have lived or worked in York County for at least one year, Habitat offers affordable homeownership with 250 sweat equity hours required. Contact them at (803) 328-8744.
- 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. The HDCRH assistance requires the home to be within Rock Hill city limits. Allow 30-60 days for program processing.