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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in La Crosse, WI (2026)
La Crosse is a vibrant city in western Wisconsin along the Mississippi River, home to several universities and a growing housing market with a median home price around $250,000. First-time buyers in La Crosse can access the City of La Crosse Down Payment Assistance Program, which offers grants up to 20% of the purchase price (maximum $25,000) based on income level. Additional help is available through the Western Dairyland Down Payment Assistance program, which provides a zero-interest deferred loan of up to 10% of the purchase price, and the Couleecap Homeownership Program for down payment and closing cost support. At the state level, WHEDA offers the Capital Access DPA with up to $7,500 and the Easy Close DPA with up to 6% of the purchase price. By combining city, nonprofit, and state programs, La Crosse buyers can significantly reduce their upfront costs.
City Programs in La Crosse
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of La Crosse Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to 20% of purchase price (max $25,000) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of purchase price (max $25,000)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Couleecap Homeownership Program | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible households | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater La Crosse Region Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 0% interest mortgage for affordable homeownership | No | View → |
| Western Dairyland Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Up to $2,500 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible households
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 0% interest mortgage for affordable homeownership
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $2,500
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the City of La Crosse DPA Program, which serves households at or below 120% of County Median Income. The WHEDA state programs have their own income and purchase price limits.
Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education class, which is required by the city program and most state programs. Contact Couleecap at 608-782-4877 for local class options.
Contact a local housing partner. Reach out to Couleecap at 608-782-4877 or Western Dairyland at 715-985-2391 to discuss your options and get guidance on which programs fit your situation.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a WHEDA-approved lender to explore state loan products like the WHEDA Advantage Conventional or FHA Loan, which can be combined with down payment assistance.
Find a home within the City of La Crosse. The city DPA program requires the property to be located within city limits. Homes must meet HUD minimum housing quality standards.
Submit your applications. Apply for the City of La Crosse DPA online at the Neighborly Software portal. You will need to provide proof of income, a signed purchase agreement, and evidence of your homebuyer education completion. You must also contribute at least $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price, whichever is greater.