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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in San Antonio, TX (2026)
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States, anchored by military installations, healthcare, tourism, and a growing technology sector. With a median home price around $290,000, San Antonio remains one of the most affordable major metros in Texas. The City of San Antonio offers robust homebuyer assistance through its Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80), providing up to $30,000 as a forgivable loan for buyers earning up to 80% AMI, and HIP 120, offering up to $15,000 for moderate-income buyers earning 81-120% AMI. First responders with SAPD or SAFD can access up to $40,000 through the First Responders Homebuyer Assistance Program, and City civilian employees can receive up to $40,000 through the HOPE program. Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio adds up to $20,000 in additional assistance. At the state level, programs like Home Sweet Texas and My First Texas Home each offer up to 5% of the loan amount as a grant or forgivable loan, making it possible to stack significant assistance toward a home purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in San Antonio
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio First Responders Homebuyer Assistance Program (FRHAP) | Forgivable Loan | $20,000 (outside CRAG) or $40,000 (inside CRAG) | Yes | View → |
| San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 120) | Forgivable Loan | $1,000 to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| San Antonio Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP 80) | Forgivable Loan | $1,000 to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| San Antonio Homeownership Program for Employees (HOPE) | Forgivable Loan | $20,000 (outside CRAG) or $40,000 (inside CRAG) | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| NHSSA Down Payment Assistance Program | Repayable Loan | Up to $20,000 | Yes | View → |
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program | Grant | Up to 5% of the total loan amount | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $20,000 (outside CRAG) or $40,000 (inside CRAG)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $1,000 to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $1,000 to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $20,000 (outside CRAG) or $40,000 (inside CRAG)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the total loan amount
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most San Antonio city programs require first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years) and income at or below 80% AMI for HIP 80, or between 81-120% AMI for HIP 120. State programs like Home Sweet Texas do not require first-time buyer status.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. All city and state programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio (NHSSA) offers virtual, in-person, and online courses. Call (210) 533-6673 ext. 304 to register.
- Step 3:
Contact the City of San Antonio NHSD. Call (210) 207-6459 or email DownPaymentAssistance@sanantonio.gov to learn about HIP 80 (up to $30,000), HIP 120 (up to $15,000), FRHAP for first responders (up to $40,000), or HOPE for City employees (up to $40,000).
- Step 4:
Explore nonprofit assistance. Contact NHSSA at (210) 533-6673 for up to $20,000 in additional down payment help. NHSSA is also a CDFI mortgage lender and can help with your first mortgage.
- Step 5:
Check state programs. Take the TSAHC online eligibility quiz at tsahc.org for up to 5% DPA through Home Sweet Texas or Homes for Texas Heroes. Also check the TDHCA My First Texas Home program at welcomehome.tdhca.texas.gov.
- Step 6:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender who participates in the state DPA programs you qualify for. Ask about combining city and state assistance for maximum savings.
- Step 7:
Find a home within program limits. HIP 80 has a purchase price limit of $244,000 for pre-owned homes ($257,000 new). HIP 120 allows up to $283,200 pre-owned ($301,200 new). Submit your application early, as processing times vary.