See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 9, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Oshkosh, WI (2026)
Oshkosh is a city of about 67,000 residents in east-central Wisconsin along the western shore of Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, with a median home price around $250,000. Homebuyers in Oshkosh can access the Winnebago Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides 0% interest deferred financing for qualifying low-to-moderate income buyers in the county. ADVOCAP also offers down payment assistance through a 0% interest deferred second mortgage for buyers in Winnebago County. The Downpayment Plus Program from FHLBank Chicago provides up to $6,000 in forgivable grant assistance. At the state level, WHEDA offers the Capital Access DPA (up to $7,500) and Easy Close DPA (up to 6% of purchase price). By combining local and state programs, eligible Oshkosh buyers can significantly reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home.
County Programs in Winnebago County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Varies (0% interest deferred down payment financing) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies (0% interest deferred down payment financing)
- 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 | $7,500 (0% interest, deferred second mortgage) | No | 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:
- $7,500 (0% interest, deferred second mortgage)
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADVOCAP Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Varies (0% interest deferred second mortgage) | Yes | View → |
| 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 Oshkosh Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 0% interest (home sold at no profit) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies (0% interest deferred second mortgage)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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 mortgage with 0% interest (home sold at no profit)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Winnebago County. WHEDA state programs have separate, often higher, income limits.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact ADVOCAP at (800) 631-7760 to schedule a financial readiness meeting and 8-hour homebuyer education course. This is required for most local and state DPA programs.
Step 3: Contact the Winnebago Homebuyer Program or City of Oshkosh Planning Services at (920) 236-5058 to learn about the county's down payment assistance program and confirm current funding availability. City housing program applications are typically accepted during a limited window each spring.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a WHEDA-approved lender to explore the WHEDA Advantage loan products and Capital Access or Easy Close DPA options. Ask your lender about the Downpayment Plus Program from FHLBank Chicago as well.
Step 5: Find a home in the Oshkosh area. Properties must be owner-occupied. WHEDA purchase price limits apply for state-level programs.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Your lender, ADVOCAP counselor, and the Winnebago Homebuyer Program will help coordinate paperwork for multiple programs. Allow 30-60 days for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Oshkosh?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh program work?+−
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