See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Burlington, VT (2026)
Burlington is Vermont's largest city, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain in Chittenden County. With a median home price around $425,000, buyers here can access substantial assistance through a combination of state and local programs. The VHFA ASSIST program provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest down payment assistance, and first-generation buyers may qualify for an additional $15,000 VHFA grant. Locally, the City of Burlington offers up to $10,000 in deferred loans for multi-unit property purchases, while the Champlain Housing Trust provides shared equity homeownership and up to $25,000 through its Homeownership Equity Program for BIPOC buyers. By stacking state and local programs, Burlington buyers could receive $25,000 or more toward their home purchase.
City Programs in Burlington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program | Grant | Monthly mortgage subsidy (pays 30-40% of income toward mortgage, BHA covers the balance) | No | View → |
| Burlington Multi-Unit Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly mortgage subsidy (pays 30-40% of income toward mortgage, BHA covers the balance)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Vermont
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NeighborWorks of Western Vermont Down Payment Assistance Loan | Repayable Loan | Up to $50,000 or 20% of purchase price, whichever is lower | No | View → |
| VHFA ASSIST Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| VHFA First Generation Homebuyer Grant | Grant | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| VHFA MOVE MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate) | Tax Credit | Federal tax credit based on mortgage interest paid annually | Yes | View → |
| VHFA MOVE Mortgage Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Below-market interest rate mortgage with down payment as low as 0-5% | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 or 20% of purchase price, whichever is lower
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit based on mortgage interest paid annually
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate mortgage with down payment as low as 0-5%
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain Housing Trust Homeownership Equity Program (HEP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Champlain Housing Trust Shared Equity Homeownership | Deferred Loan | Below-market purchase price through shared equity model, plus down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
| Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
| NorthCountry Federal Credit Union Equity Builder Program | Grant | Up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance | Yes | View → |
| Vermont Federal Credit Union Seed Money Program | Grant | Up to $7,500 (3% of purchase price) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market purchase price through shared equity model, plus down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500 (3% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for VHFA programs, which vary by household size and county. For Chittenden County, VHFA income limits generally range from $100,000 to $140,000 depending on program and household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Champlain Housing Trust at 88 King Street in Burlington is a HUD-approved counseling agency offering homebuyer education courses in English, Russian, and Spanish. Contact them at (802) 862-6244 or email info@getahome.org to register.
Step 3: Contact a VHFA participating lender. A participating lender can walk you through the VHFA MOVE mortgage, ASSIST down payment assistance, and First Generation Homebuyer Grant options. Find a lender at vhfa.org.
Step 4: Explore local programs. If you are purchasing a multi-unit property in Burlington, contact the City of Burlington Community and Economic Development Office about their $10,000 deferred loan program. For shared equity homeownership, contact Champlain Housing Trust.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your VHFA participating lender will process the first mortgage and any ASSIST or First Generation Grant assistance together.
Step 6: Find a home within program limits. VHFA purchase price limits for Chittenden County vary but generally range from $400,000 to $450,000 depending on property type.
Step 7: Submit your application and close. Once you have a purchase agreement, your lender will finalize the VHFA mortgage and any down payment assistance. Expect the process to take 30-60 days from application to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Burlington?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there programs specifically for BIPOC homebuyers in Burlington?+−
Can I use Section 8 vouchers to buy a home in Burlington?+−
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