See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Mesquite, TX (2026)

Population: 148,848 | Median home price: $275,000 | Est. closing costs: $5,500 - $8,500

Mesquite is a growing city of nearly 149,000 residents in Dallas County, just east of Dallas, with a median home price around $275,000. First-time buyers in Mesquite can access the City of Mesquite Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP), which provides up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan toward down payment and closing costs. Dallas County residents may also qualify for the Dallas County UPCAP program offering up to $7,500 in forgivable down payment assistance. At the state level, programs like the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program and My First Texas Home offer up to 5% of the loan amount in grant or forgivable loan assistance. The FHLB Dallas HELP Program provides grants up to $20,000 through participating lenders. By combining city, county, state, and federal programs, Mesquite buyers can stack significant assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

City Programs in Mesquite

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Mesquite Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)	Forgivable Loan	Up to $10,000	Yes	View →

City of Mesquite Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $10,000
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 →
FHLB Dallas HELP Program	Grant	Up to $20,000	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

FHLB Dallas HELP Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $20,000
First-time only:: Yes

Free eligibility check

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

Free
No credit check
Takes 2 minutes

Are you a first-time homebuyer?

Yes No Not sure

Question 1 of 6

housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Mesquite programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The City of Mesquite DPAP also requires a debt-to-income ratio at or below 43%.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The City of Mesquite requires an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course before applying for DPAP assistance. Contact a HUD-approved counseling agency or the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6063 to find available courses.

Step 3: Contact the City of Mesquite Housing and Community Services at (972) 216-6425 to learn about current DPAP funding availability. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis with funding available October through September each year.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender participating in Texas state homebuyer programs such as the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program or My First Texas Home. Ask your lender about the FHLB Dallas HELP grant program as well.

Step 5: Find a home within Mesquite city limits. For the DPAP, the property must be located within the Mesquite city limits and you must contribute at least 1% of the sales price toward the purchase.

Step 6: Submit your applications. Provide your homebuyer education certificate, proof of income, identification, and your signed sales contract to the City of Mesquite Housing and Community Services to apply for the DPAP. Your lender can submit applications for state programs and the FHLB HELP grant simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Mesquite buyers can access several layers of assistance. The City of Mesquite DPAP provides up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. The Dallas County UPCAP program offers up to $7,500 in additional forgivable assistance. State programs like the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program and Homes for Texas Heroes provide up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant, while My First Texas Home and the SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Program offer up to 5% as a forgivable loan. The FHLB Dallas HELP Program provides grants up to $20,000 through participating lenders. Combined, these programs can significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.

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

The City of Mesquite DPAP requires that you have not owned a home in the past 3 years. The Dallas County UPCAP and most Texas state programs also have first-time buyer requirements, though the definition typically includes anyone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years. FHA and VA federal loan programs do not require first-time buyer status.

What is the income limit for Mesquite programs?+

The City of Mesquite DPAP requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, which varies by household size. The Dallas County UPCAP has similar income-based eligibility requirements. Texas state programs like the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program and My First Texas Home have their own income limits set by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, typically based on household size and county.

What homebuyer education is required?+

The City of Mesquite DPAP requires completion of an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course before submitting an application. The Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at (214) 819-6063 is a HUD-approved agency that offers free homebuyer counseling. Most Texas state programs also require homebuyer education, which can often be completed online through approved providers.

Can I combine the Mesquite DPAP with other programs?+

Yes, the Mesquite DPAP can typically be combined with county, state, and federal programs. For example, you could use the $10,000 DPAP forgivable loan alongside the Dallas County UPCAP ($7,500), a Texas state program like Home Sweet Texas (up to 5% grant), and an FHA loan with its low 3.5% down payment requirement. Work with your lender to determine which combination of programs you qualify for and can stack together.

How long does the Mesquite DPAP take to be forgiven?+

The City of Mesquite DPAP is structured as a 0% interest deferred forgivable loan. It is forgiven at a rate of 20% per year over 5 years of continuous owner-occupancy. If you sell, refinance, or move out before the 5-year period ends, you must repay the remaining unforgiven balance.