See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Pharr, TX (2026)
Pharr is a growing city in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, located in Hidalgo County just minutes from the Mexican border. With a median home price around $200,000, Pharr is one of the most affordable housing markets in Texas. The Hidalgo County HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program provides deferred loan assistance for eligible low-income buyers, though this program is currently frozen due to funding reductions and buyers should check back for updates. Affordable Homes of South Texas (AHSTI), which has served over 4,700 families since 1976, builds affordable new homes and provides homebuyer education and grant-funded down payment assistance throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Habitat for Humanity Rio Grande Valley offers zero-interest mortgages on newly built homes for qualifying families. Proyecto Azteca provides a unique self-help housing program where families build their own homes in colonias and rural areas, saving approximately $20,000 through sweat equity. At the state level, the Homes for Texas Heroes Program and Home Sweet Texas offer grants of 3% to 5% of the loan amount, and My First Texas Home provides up to 5% assistance. With strong nonprofit support and state programs available, Pharr buyers have several paths to affordable homeownership.
County Programs in Hidalgo County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Deferred loan assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Deferred loan assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable Homes of South Texas (AHSTI) Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage financing for qualifying families | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Rio Grande Valley Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit | No | View → |
| Proyecto Azteca Self-Help Housing Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Approximately $20,000 in sweat equity savings on home construction | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage financing for qualifying families
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Approximately $20,000 in sweat equity savings on home construction
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Hidalgo County. Review current income limits through TDHCA or TSAHC.
Step 2: Complete a homebuyer education course. Affordable Homes of South Texas (AHSTI) is a HUD-approved counseling agency serving the Pharr area. Contact them at (956) 687-2641 to enroll in homebuyer education.
Step 3: Contact the Hidalgo County Urban County Program to learn about HOME Homebuyer Assistance. Call (956) 292-7685 for eligibility details and application procedures.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage through a TDHCA or TSAHC participating lender. These lenders can help you access the My First Texas Home or Home Sweet Texas programs with up to 5% down payment assistance.
Step 5: Find a home within program price limits. Pharr's affordable housing market means many homes fall well within program purchase price caps.
Step 6: Submit your application and close on your home. Work with your lender and housing counselor to ensure all required documents are submitted on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Pharr?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the income limit for assistance programs in Pharr?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there nonprofit organizations that help homebuyers in Pharr?+−
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