See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Fitchburg, WI (2026)
Fitchburg is a growing city just south of Madison in Dane County with a population of roughly 31,467 residents. The median home price sits around $474,000, reflecting the strong demand in the greater Madison metro area. First-time homebuyers in Fitchburg have access to a solid mix of federal, state, county, city, and nonprofit programs that can significantly reduce the upfront cost of purchasing a home. Between grants, deferred loans, and tax credits, qualified buyers may be able to cover most or all of their down payment and closing costs.
City Programs in Fitchburg
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Fitchburg Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 in grants and low-interest loans | Yes | View → |
| Home-Buy the American Dream (HBAD) | Deferred Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in grants and low-interest loans
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Dane County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane County Momentum Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Deferred loan up to $30,316 at 0% interest | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Deferred loan up to $30,316 at 0% interest
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Wisconsin
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEDA Advantage Conventional Loan | Government-Insured Mortgage | Low down payment first mortgage (as low as 3% down) | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Advantage FHA Loan | Government-Insured Mortgage | Low down payment first mortgage (3.5% down) | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Capital Access DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to $7,500 (between $3,050 and 3% of purchase price) | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Easy Close DPA | Repayable Loan | Up to 6% of purchase price | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Tax Advantage (Mortgage Credit Certificate) | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Low down payment first mortgage (as low as 3% down)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Low down payment first mortgage (3.5% down)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500 (between $3,050 and 3% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downpayment Plus Program (FHLBank Chicago) | Grant | Up to $6,000 (3:1 match of buyer contribution, max $6,000) | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable new-construction home with zero-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Movin' Out Down Payment Assistance (Madison) | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 in City of Madison (up to $35,000 in other Dane County areas) | Yes | View → |
| RASCW Housing Foundation Home Start Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $4,000 or 3% of purchase price (whichever is less) | Yes | View → |
| Wintrust Mortgage Down Payment Assistance | Grant | $2,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000 (3:1 match of buyer contribution, max $6,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable new-construction home with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000 in City of Madison (up to $35,000 in other Dane County areas)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $4,000 or 3% of purchase price (whichever is less)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $2,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Determine your eligibility by reviewing income limits for the programs you are interested in. Most Fitchburg-area programs require household income at or below 80% of the county median income.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Programs such as the Dane County Momentum Homebuyer Program, RASCW Home Start, and the City of Fitchburg Homebuyer Assistance Program all require this step.
Connect with a participating lender who is familiar with Wisconsin down payment assistance programs. Your lender can help you apply for multiple programs simultaneously.
Get pre-approved for your mortgage and identify which programs you qualify for. Your lender will help you layer assistance from county, city, and nonprofit sources.
Find a home within Fitchburg city limits (required for the city program) or Dane County (for county and nonprofit programs) that meets any applicable purchase price limits.
Submit your program applications along with your purchase contract. Processing times vary, so apply as early as possible.
Close on your home. Approved assistance funds are typically applied directly at closing to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.