See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Abilene, TX (2026)
Abilene is a mid-sized city in West Central Texas and the seat of Taylor County, with a median home price around $245,000. The City of Abilene First Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $5,000 as a grant for down payment and closing costs to income-eligible buyers. Texas state programs including the TDHCA My First Texas Home Program and TSAHC Homes Sweet Texas Program provide additional down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant or forgivable second lien. Habitat for Humanity Abilene also builds and sells homes at no profit with zero-interest mortgages for qualifying low-income families. By combining local and state programs, Abilene buyers can stack significant assistance to make homeownership more affordable.
City Programs in Abilene
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program | Grant | Monthly mortgage assistance through Housing Choice Voucher | Yes | View → |
| City of Abilene First Time Homebuyer Program | Grant | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly mortgage assistance through Housing Choice Voucher
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Texas
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program | Grant | 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount (borrower chooses); grant on FHA/VA/USDA loans or 0% 3-year forgivable second lien | No | View → |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Program | Grant | Up to 5% of the loan amount (between 3% and 5%) | No | View → |
| My First Texas Home | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the first lien mortgage amount | Yes | View → |
| SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 5% of the loan amount | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% of the total loan amount (borrower chooses); grant on FHA/VA/USDA loans or 0% 3-year forgivable second lien
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the loan amount (between 3% and 5%)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the first lien mortgage amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the loan amount
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Abilene Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Abilene First Time Homebuyer Program requires income at or below 80% of the area median income, which ranges from $41,000 to $77,300 depending on household size. You must have lived in Abilene for at least 6 months or worked there for at least 2 years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must finish an online homebuyer training course and complete 10 hours of community service as part of the City of Abilene program requirements.
Step 3: Contact an approved participating lender. The City of Abilene does not accept direct applications. Reach out to a participating lender who will submit your application on your behalf. For a list of approved lenders, call the Neighborhood Services Division at (325) 437-4576.
Step 4: Explore state programs. Ask your lender about the TDHCA My First Texas Home Program and the TSAHC Homes Sweet Texas Program, which offer additional down payment assistance that can be stacked with the city program.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with your lender to determine your maximum purchase price and confirm which programs you qualify for.
Step 6: Find a home within the city limits of Abilene. The City of Abilene program requires the home to be located within city limits.
Step 7: Submit your full application and close on your home. Your lender will coordinate the grant funds, which are paid directly to the title agency on the day of closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Abilene?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What other housing programs are available in Abilene?+−
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