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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Arlington, TX (2026)
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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Trinity Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit | No | View → |
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program | Grant | Up to 5% of the total loan amount | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
- 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:
- Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the total loan amount
- 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
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
- 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.