See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 9, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Waukesha, WI (2026)
Waukesha is a city of about 72,000 residents in southeastern Wisconsin, located just west of Milwaukee in Waukesha County, with a median home price around $400,000. Homebuyers in Waukesha can access the HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance program, which provides forgivable loans up to $10,000, as well as the WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program offering grants up to $8,000 for qualifying first-time buyers. 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 stacking local and state programs, eligible buyers in Waukesha could receive over $25,000 in combined assistance toward their home purchase.
County Programs in Waukesha County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance (Waukesha County) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $8,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000
- 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 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Waukesha County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage based on income (below-market financing) | 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 mortgage based on income (below-market financing)
- 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 Waukesha County. WHEDA state programs have higher income limits (up to $110,700 for 1-2 person households in non-target areas).
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. HUD-approved housing counseling is required for the HOME Consortium DPA and WORTH programs. Contact Community Advocates at (414) 449-4777 or HBC Services in Waukesha at 217 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 124 to schedule your 8-hour course.
Step 3: Contact Waukesha County Community Development at (262) 896-8170 to learn about the HOME Consortium DPA program and confirm current funding availability.
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 Waukesha County. The property must be owner-occupied and can be a single-family home or condominium. WHEDA purchase price limits for Waukesha County are up to $544,232 for single-family homes in non-target areas.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Your lender and housing counselor will help coordinate the paperwork for multiple programs. Allow 30-60 days for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Waukesha?+−
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 HOME Consortium DPA forgiveness work?+−
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