Assistance program · Illinois
Open, per the source
HomeGrown Purchase Assistance
Chicago Department of Housing grant for the down payment and closing costs, from $10,000 to $70,000 depending on your income and the home's area; you apply through NLS or TRP and must live in the home five years
At a glance
- Most it gives, per the source
- Up to $70,000
- What its page says; your amount depends on the price and the loan.
- Kind of help
- Grant
- Grant you never repay
- First-time buyer?
- Not stated — ask
- The source does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Grant you never repay
Only in: Chicago, Cook County
What it gives
Up to $70,000
Source text
providing grant assistance for down payments and closing costs. Applications are now open. … Grant funds may not exceed 25% of the property purchase price before any other purchase assistance is applied. … 80% AMI and below … $70,000 … 121 - 150% of AMI … $10,000 A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
Eligible homebuyers must meet income and mortgage requirements, complete homebuyer education counseling, and contribute at least 1% of the original purchase price from personal funds. … A signed contract is required before you submit an application for HomeGrown funds. … Obtain an executed purchase contract for a property located in the City of Chicago … The program does not allow co-signers. The individual obtaining the mortgage must apply for the HomeGrown grant and reside in the home as their primary residence for five (5) years. - First-time buyers only Not stated — ask
- Homebuyer course required Yes
- Minimum credit score Not stated — ask
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with Not stated — ask
- Immigration requirement Not stated — ask
- Accepts ITIN? Not stated — ask
- Spanish materials Not stated — ask
- Program status Open, per the source
- Where it applies Chicago, Cook County
What its page says about being open
Applications are now open. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026. chicago.gov
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Chicago
These are the official figures for the area the program covers. Use them to compare the price of the home you want and your household income with the program's limits.
The typical home value ($324,500) fits within Chicago's FHA limit ($541,287).
The program uses 150% of area median income (AMI). HUD publishes a median family income of $121,500 for Chicago.
| Figure | Cook County | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $324,500 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $541,287 | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $97,200 | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Confirm it is still open
Its page said it was open when we checked. These programs run out of money: look again before you start.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Take the homebuyer course
The program requires it. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach courses. Illinois has 81 agencies on HUD's list, and 29 serve people in Spanish.
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Apply with City of Chicago Department of Housing. Its page explains whether you apply directly or through a participating lender.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 7 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to City of Chicago Department of Housing.
What its page does not say
- Is it only for first-time buyers?
- Is there a maximum price for the home?
- What minimum credit score do you require?
- Which mortgage types does it work with: FHA, VA, USDA or conventional?
- Which immigration status or residency documents do you ask for?
- Do you accept an ITIN?
- Do you have materials or staff in Spanish?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- Is there any case in which the grant has to be paid back?
Against the others
How it compares with Illinois's other programs
The 6 programs we checked in Illinois, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is one of 4 programs in Illinois, out of 6, whose page does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer. It is one of 6 out of 6 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. It is the only program in Illinois on our list with "grant" help. It is the only local program on the list; the others cover the whole state. 2 of the 6 require a homebuyer course, this one included.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeGrown Purchase Assistancethis programOpen, per the source | Grant | Up to $70,000 | Doesn't say | Yes | Doesn't say | Chicago, Cook County |
| IHDAccess HomeLimited funds remain, per the source | Deferred | Up to 6% of the price, capped at $15,000 | Yes | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| IHDAccess ForgivableLimited funds remain, per the source | Forgivable | Up to 4% of the price, capped at $6,000 | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| IHDAccess DeferredLimited funds remain, per the source | Deferred | Up to 5% of the price, capped at $7,500 | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| IHDAccess RepayableLimited funds remain, per the source | Repayable | Up to 10% of the price, capped at $10,000 | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Opening DoorsLimited funds remain, per the source | Forgivable | $9,000 | No | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Help and programs
Homebuyer education courses: when you need one
What a homebuyer education course is, when Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and assistance programs require one, and where to take it for free or in Spanish.
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Help and programs
HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost
What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.