See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 6, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Richardson, TX (2026)
Richardson is a thriving suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, spanning both Dallas County and Collin County, with a population of about 117,700 and a median home price around $450,000. While the city itself does not offer a municipal down payment assistance program, Richardson buyers benefit from strong county and state options. The Dallas County UPCAP program provides up to $7,500 as a deferred loan for buyers in the Dallas County portion, and the NDBT HomeStart Program offers a $2,500 closing cost credit with no PMI for buyers in either county. State programs like My First Texas Home offer up to 5% of the loan amount as a forgivable loan, and the Homes for Texas Heroes Program provides up to 5% as a grant for teachers, first responders, and veterans. By stacking county and state programs, eligible buyers can access meaningful assistance toward purchasing a home in Richardson.
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 → |
- 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 → |
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Collin County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase at no profit with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
| NDBT HomeStart Program | Grant | $2,500 closing cost credit plus no PMI | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with low-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase at no profit with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $2,500 closing cost credit plus no PMI
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Dallas County and Collin County programs. The Dallas County UPCAP requires income at or below HUD limits, and state programs generally cap around 115% of Area Median Income.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center (HLCC) offers free HUD-approved homebuyer education classes. Contact them at 214-819-6060. Completing the NDBT Homebuyer Workshop qualifies you for a $2,500 closing cost credit.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Reach the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center at 214-819-6060 for the UPCAP program, or NDBT at ndbt.com for their HomeStart program serving Dallas and Collin Counties.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a TSAHC-approved lender to access state programs like My First Texas Home or Homes for Texas Heroes, which offer up to 5% of the loan amount toward your down payment.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. State programs have county-specific purchase price maximums set by TDHCA. The UPCAP program requires the home to be in Dallas County, while NDBT HomeStart covers both Dallas and Collin Counties.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. The UPCAP program requires a 5-year residency commitment, after which the deferred loan lien is released. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate all program paperwork alongside your mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Richardson?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Richardson?+−
Is Richardson in Dallas County or Collin County?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Richardson?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+−
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