Down payment assistance in Texas
Texas's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
Home Sweet Texas Home Loan
Grant (no repayment)- Maximum assistance
- Up to 5% of loan amount as a grant
- Income limit
- Up to $172,400 (statewide)
- Home price limit
- Up to $625,000
- First-time buyer
- Not required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Grant is non-repayable.
- •Homes for Texas Heroes program targets teachers, police, firefighters, EMS, veterans, corrections officers.
- •TDHCA also runs a separate My First Texas Home program with similar DPA.
How Texas DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Texas's Home Sweet Texas Home Loan pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Texas's primary statewide DPA is Home Sweet Texas Home Loan from Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). Up to 5% of loan amount as a grant. Many Texas cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
No. The Home Sweet Texas Home Loan is open to both first-time and repeat buyers, subject to income and home-price limits.
Yes. Home Sweet Texas Home Loan works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
No. A grant has no repayment requirement, so it is not counted as debt for DTI purposes.
A grant is yours to keep with no payback obligation.