See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fort Worth, TX (2026)
Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States, anchoring the western half of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Tarrant County with a population exceeding one million. With a median home price around $330,000, the city offers relatively affordable homeownership compared to its neighbors. The City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) provides up to $25,000 in forgivable loans for down payment and closing costs to income-eligible first-time buyers. Texas state programs including Home Sweet Texas, My First Texas Home, Homes for Texas Heroes, and the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program add up to 5% of the loan amount in grants or forgivable loans. Trinity Habitat for Humanity also builds affordable homes for qualifying families in Tarrant County. By combining city and state programs, eligible Fort Worth buyers could access over $40,000 in total assistance.
City Programs in Fort Worth
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. For the Fort Worth HAP, your household income must be below 80% of the Area Median Income (approximately $85,350 for a family of 4). You must not have owned a home in the past three years. The home's purchase price cannot exceed $309,000 for existing homes or $329,000 for new construction. State programs through TSAHC and TDHCA have separate, often higher income limits.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Fort Worth HAP requires a HUD-certified homebuyer workshop through Housing Channel, a local HUD-approved counseling agency. Contact Housing Channel at 817-924-5091 or counseling@housingchannel.org to register. State programs also require their own homebuyer education, typically available online.
Step 3: Contact the City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department at 817-392-7540 to confirm current funding availability and begin your HAP application. The program operates on funding cycles and can run out of funds, so early application is recommended.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. You must work with an approved lender for the Fort Worth HAP. For state DPA programs, work with a TSAHC or TDHCA participating lender. Buyers must contribute a minimum of $1,000 or 2% of the purchase price, whichever is less.
Step 5: Find a home within Fort Worth city limits. The property must be within city limits to qualify for the HAP. Trinity Habitat for Humanity at trinityhabitat.org is another path for families earning below 80% AMI who are willing to invest 200 hours of sweat equity.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Up to 3% of the loan amount may be used for closing costs, with the remainder going toward your down payment. The HAP assistance is forgivable over up to 10 years depending on the amount received. Allow extra time for processing and coordination between your lender and the City.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Fort Worth?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase in Fort Worth with HAP assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does the Tarrant County program apply within Fort Worth city limits?+−
Can I combine the Fort Worth HAP with state programs?+−
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