See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Garland, TX (2026)

Population: 252,450 | Median home price: $300,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,000 - $9,000

Garland is a diverse, family-friendly city in the northeast Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a population of over 252,000 and a median home price around $300,000. The Garland Housing Finance Corporation offers a combined Mortgage Credit Certificate and Down Payment Assistance Program that provides $15,000 in assistance ($10,000 second lien plus a $5,000 non-repayable grant) along with a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for the life of the mortgage. Additional help is available through the Dallas County UPCAP Down Payment Assistance program and statewide programs like My First Texas Home and Home Sweet Texas, which offer up to 5% of the mortgage amount. By combining the Garland HFC program with state assistance, buyers can significantly reduce both their upfront costs and their ongoing tax burden.

City Programs in Garland

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Garland HFC MCC with Down Payment Assistance Program	Grant	$15,000 total: $10,000 second lien loan plus $5,000 non-repayable grant	Yes	View →

Garland HFC MCC with Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: $15,000 total: $10,000 second lien loan plus $5,000 non-repayable grant
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
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage	Yes	View →
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage	Yes	View →

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

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

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland Homeownership Program

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

Free eligibility check

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

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Garland HFC MCC with DPA program requires that you have not owned a principal residence in the last three years (exceptions for Targeted Area purchases and Qualified Veterans). Income limits are $117,300 for 1-2 person households and $134,895 for 3+ persons in non-targeted areas.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6060 offers free counseling in English and Spanish. Catholic Charities Dallas also provides HUD-approved classes.

Step 3: Get pre-approved with a Garland HFC approved lender. Your lender must be approved by Hilltop Securities to participate in the program. Contact Hilltop Securities at (214) 953-4176 or the Garland Housing Finance Corporation at (972) 205-2130 for the approved lender list.

Step 4: Apply for down payment assistance. Your approved lender will help you apply for the $15,000 in DPA ($10,000 second lien plus $5,000 grant) and the Mortgage Credit Certificate. Program costs include a $100 MCC application fee, $250 closing package review fee, and 1% MCC issuance fee.

Step 5: Find a home within Garland city limits. The property must be located within the City of Garland and used as your primary residence.

Step 6: Close on your home. At closing, you will receive $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. The MCC will provide a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for as long as you have a mortgage on the home.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Garland HFC MCC with Down Payment Assistance Program provides $15,000 total: a $10,000 second lien loan plus a $5,000 non-repayable grant. Additionally, the included Mortgage Credit Certificate provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for the life of your mortgage. You can also stack this with state programs like My First Texas Home or Home Sweet Texas for up to 5% of the mortgage amount in additional assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Garland?+

The Garland HFC program requires that you have not owned a principal residence in the last three years. However, exceptions are made for buyers purchasing in a Targeted Area or Qualified Veterans. State programs like My Choice Texas Home do not require first-time buyer status, so repeat buyers can still access down payment assistance.

What are the income limits for the Garland HFC program?+

For non-targeted areas, income limits are $117,300 for 1-2 person households and $134,895 for 3 or more persons. For targeted areas, limits increase to $140,760 for 1-2 persons and $164,220 for 3 or more persons. These limits apply to the gross income of all individuals on the deed of trust.

What is a Mortgage Credit Certificate and how does it help?+

A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit that reduces the amount of federal income tax you owe each year. With the Garland HFC program, you can receive a tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for as long as you have a mortgage on the home and occupy it as your primary residence. This is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, not just a deduction, making it significantly more valuable.

What homebuyer education is required in Garland?+

The Garland HFC program works through approved lenders, who will guide you through any education requirements. For general HUD-approved homebuyer education, the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center offers free counseling at (214) 819-6060. Catholic Charities Dallas also provides HUD-approved homebuyer education classes and certificates.

Does Habitat for Humanity build homes in Garland?+

Yes. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland serves Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse. They build affordable homes for buyers earning 30-80% of Area Median Income. Typical homes are 1,250-1,500 square feet with 3 bedrooms and a 2-car garage. Homebuyers must complete 300-450 sweat equity hours. Contact them at (972) 414-6894 or info@garlandhabitat.org to check application availability.