See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Dallas, TX (2026)

Population: 1,337,417 | Median home price: $375,000 | Est. closing costs: $7,500 - $11,500

Dallas is one of the fastest-growing major cities in the United States, powered by a diverse economy spanning finance, technology, telecommunications, and healthcare. With a median home price around $375,000, Dallas remains competitive among major Texas metros. The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) offers up to $60,000 in forgivable loan assistance in high opportunity areas and up to $50,000 in other parts of the city for buyers earning up to 80% AMI. Dallas County also provides down payment assistance through its UPCAP program at the Home Loan Counseling Center. BCL of Texas administers the NeighborhoodLIFT program offering $15,000 to $17,500 in assistance when funds are available. At the state level, the My First Texas Home program and TSAHC Home Sweet Texas program each provide up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant or forgivable loan, giving Dallas buyers the ability to stack local and state assistance for significant savings.

City Programs in Dallas

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)	Forgivable Loan	Up to $60,000 in high opportunity areas; up to $50,000 in all other areas	Yes	View →

Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $60,000 in high opportunity areas; up to $50,000 in all other areas
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Dallas County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable Loan	Up to $7,500	Yes	View →

Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $7,500
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
BCL of Texas NeighborhoodLIFT Program	Forgivable Loan	$15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs)	Yes	View →
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage	Yes	View →

BCL of Texas NeighborhoodLIFT Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs)
First-time only:: Yes

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage
First-time only:: Yes

Free eligibility check

15 programs available in Dallas. See which ones you qualify for.

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Question 1 of 6

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. DHAP requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). The purchase price limit is $342,000. State programs like Home Sweet Texas do not require first-time buyer status.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Dallas programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. BCL of Texas offers live webinar classes on Saturdays and self-paced online options. Call (214) 688-7456 or visit bcloftexas.org to register.

Step 3: Contact the City of Dallas program. BCL of Texas is the new administrator for DHAP. Contact them at (214) 688-7456 for the latest application information and to check if the program is currently accepting applications.

Step 4: Explore county assistance. Contact the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6063 for information about the UPCAP down payment assistance program and other counseling services.

Step 5: Check state programs. Take the TSAHC online eligibility quiz at tsahc.org for up to 5% DPA through Home Sweet Texas or Homes for Texas Heroes. Also check the TDHCA My First Texas Home program at welcomehome.tdhca.texas.gov.

Step 6: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a DHAP-approved lender who also participates in the state DPA programs you qualify for. Ask about combining city and state assistance.

Step 7: Find a home and submit your application. DHAP has a purchase price limit of $342,000 for both existing and new construction homes. Submit your application through the Neighborly Software portal once the program is accepting applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dallas offers substantial assistance through multiple programs. The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) provides up to $60,000 in high opportunity areas and up to $50,000 in other areas as a forgivable loan. Dallas County offers additional assistance through its UPCAP program. BCL of Texas NeighborhoodLIFT provides $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, and first responders) when funded. On top of local programs, state programs like My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas each provide up to 5% of the loan amount. On a $375,000 home, state DPA alone could mean roughly $18,750 in additional help.

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

Most Dallas city and county programs require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years. However, key state programs do not require first-time buyer status: the TSAHC Home Sweet Texas program and the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program are both open to repeat buyers. The Homes for Texas Heroes program is also open to repeat buyers in eligible professions like teaching, law enforcement, and emergency services.

What is the maximum home price for Dallas programs?+

DHAP has a purchase price limit of $342,000 for both existing and new construction homes. This is below the Dallas median home price of $375,000, so buyers using DHAP will need to find homes priced at or below that threshold. State programs like Home Sweet Texas and My First Texas Home do not have fixed purchase price limits but have income-based qualifying criteria, making them a good option for buyers looking at homes above $342,000.

What homebuyer education is required?+

All Dallas programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. BCL of Texas offers live Saturday webinar classes (6 hours plus counseling time to meet the 8-hour HUD requirement) and self-paced online options. Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center also offers homebuyer education and counseling. Contact BCL at (214) 688-7456 or Dallas County at (214) 819-6063.

Is the DHAP program currently accepting applications?+

As of early 2026, the Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program is transitioning to a new administrator. In February 2026, the Dallas City Council approved BCL of Texas to manage DHAP going forward. Applications may be paused during the transition. Contact BCL of Texas at (214) 688-7456 or check the City of Dallas Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization website for the latest updates on when applications will reopen.

Are there special programs for teachers and first responders in Dallas?+

Yes. DHAP includes a Targeted Occupations tier for teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders earning 81-120% AMI, offering up to $50,000 in assistance (though this tier was out of funding as of late 2025 and new funding is anticipated). The BCL NeighborhoodLIFT program increases its assistance from $15,000 to $17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. At the state level, the TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes program provides up to 5% DPA specifically for educators, first responders, law enforcement, and veterans.