See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Kenosha, WI (2026)
Kenosha is Wisconsin's fourth-largest city, located on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago, with a median home price of around $285,000. First-time buyers in Kenosha can access the HCRI Down Payment Grant offering up to $10,000 and the City of Kenosha HOME Down Payment Assistance providing a deferred second mortgage of up to 17% of the purchase price. The Kenosha County Homestead Opportunity Loan Program covers up to 50% of the down payment for homes outside city limits. At the state level, WHEDA's Capital Access DPA provides up to $7,500 as a deferred zero-interest loan, the Easy Close DPA offers up to 6% of the purchase price, and the Tax Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificate saves buyers up to $2,000 per year in federal taxes. By combining city, county, state, and federal programs, eligible Kenosha buyers could access substantial assistance toward homeownership.
City Programs in Kenosha
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Kenosha HOME Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to 17% of purchase price (deferred second mortgage) | Yes | View → |
| Kenosha HCRI Down Payment Grant | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 17% of purchase price (deferred second mortgage)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Kenosha County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha County Homestead Opportunity Loan Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 50% of down payment (maximum 10% of purchase price) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 50% of down payment (maximum 10% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- No
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 Kenosha Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with zero-interest mortgage | Yes | 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 home with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most Kenosha programs require gross household income below 80% of the Kenosha County median income. WHEDA programs have separate county-based limits.
Complete homebuyer education. The HCRI Grant requires 8 hours of homebuyer education, and the HOME program requires HUD-certified counseling. Contact the Kenosha Housing Authority's certified counselor Cyndi Zarletti-Lee at (262) 697-4641 to enroll.
Save for your required contribution. The HCRI Grant requires $500 to $1,000 of personal funds. The HOME program requires a minimum 3% down payment. The Homestead Opportunity Loan requires you to cover at least 50% of the down payment from your own funds.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a WHEDA-approved lender to explore WHEDA Advantage Conventional or FHA loans, which can be paired with state DPA programs. You'll need a fixed-rate mortgage covering at least 80% of the purchase price for the HOME program.
Apply for down payment assistance. Submit your HCRI application with 30 days of income and asset verification to the Kenosha Housing Authority. For the HOME program, contact the City of Kenosha Community Development office.
Find a home and get an inspection. The HCRI Grant requires a professional home inspection. Work with a real estate agent to find a home within Kenosha County.
Close on your home. Your lender and the Kenosha Housing Authority will coordinate all DPA funds at closing. The HCRI Grant requires you to maintain ownership and primary residence for at least 5 years.