Assistance program · Texas
Out of funds for now, per the source
Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
City of Houston interest-free forgivable loan of up to $75,000 for the down payment, closing costs or to buy down the mortgage of first-time buyers with income up to 80% of the median; forgiven if you live in the home eight years
At a glance
- Amount it offered
- Offered up to $75,000
- What its page said while it took applications; not an offer today.
- Kind of help
- Forgivable
- Second loan forgiven if you stay in the home
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Second loan forgiven if you stay in the home
Only in: Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County
What it gives
Out of funds for now, per the source
Offered up to $75,000
Source text
The City of Houston offers up to $75,000 to income-qualified residents. … Our assistance is a no-interest, forgivable loan secured by a lien. The loan is fulfilled if the buyer lives in the home for eight years. If the buyer sells or moves out of the home before the end of eight years, they will repay the City for a portion of the original loan amount. 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
U.S. citizen or permanent resident. (This includes the co-applicant, and spouse) … First-time homebuyer (or have not owned a home in the last 3 years). … Household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income … The home you want to purchase pays taxes to the City of Houston. … Obtain a homebuyer education class certificate through a HUD-Approved Agency. - First-time buyers only Yes
- 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 Citizenship or qualified-alien status, per the source
- Accepts ITIN? No
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status Out of funds for now, per the source
- Where it applies Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County
What its page says about being open
Due to the exhaustion of available program funds, we are no longer accepting or processing additional applications at this time. … You may reapply once the program funding has been replenished and reopened to accept new applications; all applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026. houstontx.gov
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Houston
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 ($276,600) fits within Harris County's FHA limit ($541,287).
The typical home value ($374,500) fits within Fort Bend County's FHA limit ($541,287).
The typical home value ($346,200) fits within Montgomery County's FHA limit ($541,287).
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Houston is $83,200.
| Figure | Harris County | Fort Bend County | Montgomery County | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $276,600 | $374,500 | $346,200 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $541,287 | $541,287 | $541,287 | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 | $832,750 | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $83,200 | $83,200 | $83,200 | 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-
Ask whether new funds are coming
Its page says it has no funds for now. Ask when they expect more.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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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. Texas has 51 agencies on HUD's list, and 39 serve people in Spanish.
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Apply with City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department. 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 3 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department.
What its page does not say
- 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?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- After how many years is the loan forgiven, and what happens if I sell or refinance before then?
Against the others
How it compares with Texas's other programs
The 7 programs we checked in Texas, 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 Texas, out of 7, that require being a first-time buyer. It is one of 3 out of 7 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. 4 more programs in the state give "forgivable" help: My First Texas Home, My Choice Texas Home, Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas Home. It is the only local program on the list; the others cover the whole state. 3 of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)this programOut of funds for now, per the source | Forgivable | Offered up to $75,000 | Yes | Yes | No | Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County |
| My First Texas Home | Deferred · Forgivable | Not published | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| My Choice Texas Home | Deferred · Forgivable | Not published | No | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)Limited funds remain, per the source | Tax credit | Not published | Yes | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Homes for Texas Heroes | Grant · Forgivable · Deferred | Up to 5% of the loan | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | No | Statewide |
| Home Sweet Texas Home | Grant · Forgivable · Deferred | Up to 5% of the loan | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | No | Statewide |
| TSAHC Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)Open, per the source | Tax credit | Not published | Yes | Doesn't say | 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.