See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Arlington, TX (2026)

Population: 400,000 | Median home price: $315,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,500 - $9,500

Arlington is a major city in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a population of approximately 400,000, making it the seventh-largest city in Texas. With a median home price around $315,000, Arlington sits at a moderate price point for the DFW area. Homebuyers can take advantage of the City of Arlington Homebuyer Assistance Program (AHAP), which provides up to $20,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan for first-time buyers earning at or below 80% of the area median income. State programs add significant value on top of local assistance, including My First Texas Home and the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program, each offering up to 5% of the loan amount in down payment assistance, and the Homes for Texas Heroes Program for educators and first responders. By combining the AHAP with state programs, eligible Arlington buyers could stack over $35,000 in total assistance toward their home purchase.

City Programs in Arlington

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Arlington Homebuyer Assistance Program (AHAP)	Forgivable Loan	Up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance	Yes	View →

City of Arlington Homebuyer Assistance Program (AHAP)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
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 →

Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program

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

Homes for Texas Heroes Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to 5% of the loan amount (between 3% and 5%)
First-time only:: No

My First Texas Home

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to 5% of the first lien mortgage amount
First-time only:: Yes

SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program

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 →

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
Trinity Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit	No	View →

Trinity Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit
First-time only:: No

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13 programs available in Arlington. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Arlington AHAP requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (family of 4: $85,350). You must be a first-time homebuyer or from a federally declared disaster area.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Register for the HUD-approved Homebuyer Education Course through Housing Channel at 817-924-5091 or counseling@housingchannel.org. This is required for the AHAP and most other programs.

Step 3: Contact Housing Channel to begin your AHAP application. Housing Channel administers the City of Arlington program and will guide you through the full process.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender to determine which combination of local and state programs you qualify for. The Arlington Housing Finance Corporation partners with TDHCA for competitive-rate loans.

Step 5: Find a home within Arlington city limits. Ensure you have a minimum $1,000 personal investment and two months of mortgage payments in cash reserves.

Step 6: Submit your application. Your lender and Housing Channel will process your AHAP assistance alongside your mortgage. State program DPA is applied at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Arlington buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The City of Arlington Homebuyer Assistance Program (AHAP) provides up to $20,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. On top of that, state programs like My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas each offer up to 5% of your loan amount (roughly $15,750 on a $315,000 home) as a grant or forgivable loan. The Homes for Texas Heroes Program provides 3%-5% for eligible educators and first responders. By combining local and state programs, eligible buyers could receive over $35,000 in total assistance.

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

The City of Arlington AHAP does require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. An exception exists for buyers displaced from a federally declared disaster area. However, several state programs are available to repeat buyers, including the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program and the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program, so even if you have owned before, you may still qualify for significant down payment assistance.

What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+

The City of Arlington AHAP does not publish a specific purchase price cap, but homes must be within Arlington city limits and borrowers must qualify for a market-rate mortgage. State programs follow county-level FHA or conventional loan limits for Tarrant County. Contact Housing Channel or your lender for current loan limits.

What homebuyer education is required in Arlington?+

The AHAP requires completion of a HUD-approved Homebuyer Education Course. Housing Channel is the primary provider in the Arlington area and offers both in-person orientations and online pre-purchase education through Framework. You can reach Housing Channel at 817-924-5091 or counseling@housingchannel.org to register for an upcoming class.

What are the income and asset limits for Arlington programs?+

For the City of Arlington AHAP, your household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. For a family of four, that is currently $85,350. Your liquid assets cannot exceed $15,000 at closing, and you must have a minimum personal investment of $1,000 plus two months of mortgage payments in reserves. State programs have their own income limits which vary by county and household size.

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