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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Temple, TX (2026)
Temple is a growing city in Bell County in central Texas, part of the Killeen-Temple metropolitan area, with a median home price around $260,000. Homebuyers in Temple can take advantage of the NeighborWorks Waco HomeOwnership Center, which has a dedicated Temple office offering forgivable loans for down payment and closing costs to first-time buyers purchasing within city limits. The NeighborWorks Waco NeighborhoodLIFT Program provides up to $15,000 in forgivable grants, with up to $17,500 available for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity also builds affordable homes in Bell County and recently completed home dedications in Temple. 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. By combining local and state programs, eligible Temple buyers could receive $25,000 or more in total assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Temple
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage sold at no profit | No | View → |
| NeighborWorks Waco Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance | Grant | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| NeighborWorks Waco NeighborhoodLIFT Program | Grant | $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs) | No | 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:
- 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 sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $15,000 ($17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs)
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 local programs require first-time buyer status and low-to-moderate household income. Review your credit score, savings, and debt-to-income ratio to determine which programs fit your situation.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. NeighborWorks Waco offers free quarterly homebuyer education workshops at their Temple office at 101 N Main St, with breakfast and lunch provided. Call 254-598-2266 to register for the next session.
- Step 3:
Contact NeighborWorks Waco Temple office. They administer forgivable loan assistance for down payment and closing costs and provide one-on-one counseling. Visit 101 N Main St, Temple, TX 76501 or call 254-598-2266.
- Step 4:
Explore the NeighborhoodLIFT Program. This program provides up to $15,000 in forgivable grants for first-time buyers, with enhanced amounts up to $17,500 for veterans, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs.
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender who participates in Texas state homebuyer programs such as My First Texas Home or Home Sweet Texas. These lenders can combine a competitive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with state-level down payment assistance grants.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program limits. The NeighborWorks forgivable loan program requires the home to be within Temple city limits. State programs have separate purchase price limits that vary by county.
- Step 7:
Submit your application and close. Your lender and NeighborWorks counselor will coordinate the assistance funds. The Temple Housing Resource Center at 254-298-5999 can also help connect you with additional resources.