Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Programs:
Updated May 2026TDHCA runs the Texas Homebuyer Program (My First Texas Home for first-time buyers and My Choice Texas Home for repeat buyers). TDHCA offers 30-year fixed mortgages through approved lenders and down payment assistance commonly up to 5% of the first-lien amount. Income and purchase-price limits are county-specific — see the TDHCA limits table or contact a TDHCA-approved lender for current offers. See TDHCA My First Texas Home and the official limits matrix at TDHCA Limits (county matrix) for details.
Texas First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:
Eligibility: My First Texas Home usually requires first-time status (no primary residence in the past 3 years) while My Choice Texas Home does not require first-time status; income limits are county-based.
Offerings: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages paired with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional options; low-down-payment paths and DPA are commonly available.
Requirements:
- Income ≤ county-specific limits (see TDHCA county matrix; targeted census tracts may use different limits).
- Minimum credit score commonly around 620+ (varies by loan type and lender).
- Debt-to-income guidelines commonly around a 45% back-end ratio (lenders may allow higher with compensating factors).
- Homebuyer education/counseling required for many TDHCA products (complete via a TDHCA-approved counselor).
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options:
State DPA (TDHCA): Up to 5% of the first-lien amount is commonly available as DPA. Assistance is typically delivered as a zero-percent deferred second lien; some program options/lender-packages may include a forgivable timeline or different repayment triggers. Verify the exact terms for your lender/package at TDHCA or with your TDHCA-approved lender.
TSAHC alternatives: The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation also offers DPA (Home Sweet Texas and Homes for Texas Heroes) with grant or deferred/forgivable second-lien options — see TSAHC guidance at TSAHC program FAQ.
Texas Heroes / Profession-Based Options:
Description: TSAHC’s Homes for Texas Heroes and some local programs give enhanced DPA or fee waivers to eligible public servants (teachers, firefighters, EMS, police, corrections, nursing faculty, veterans, etc.). See TSAHC for the official list and benefits. TSAHC Heroes details.
Local Programs (Examples):
Many cities and counties run local DPA or principal-reduction programs; amounts, eligibility, and intake status change frequently — always confirm with the local housing office or program administrator.
Houston / Harris County
City of Houston HCD programs: Houston operates several homebuyer programs. The traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) and Harvey Homebuyer Assistance (HbAP) streams differ by target group and funding; awards can be substantially larger than older 10–15k figures. See the City of Houston Housing & Community Development pages for the current programs and amounts (HAP, HbAP 2.0 / Harvey HbAP, and NHDP). Official details and program guides are at City of Houston - Homebuyer Assistance.
Dallas / Dallas County
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance (DHAP): The City of Dallas has provided deferred/forgivable DPA through DHAP. Note: DHAP transitioned to a new administrator and was pausing intake as of Feb 25, 2026 — watch the City page or the program administrator for re-openings and updated rules. See Dallas DHAP for the official notice and contact info.
Austin / Travis County
City of Austin & Travis County: Austin’s Neighborhood Housing programs include a City Down Payment Assistance option that can provide meaningful help (City materials list up to $40,000 for income-eligible first-time buyers in many current documents). Travis County’s Hill Country Home DPA (administered by the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation) offers 4%–6% of the loan as a 0% forgivable second lien for eligible buyers purchasing anywhere in Travis County (including Austin). Official program pages: City of Austin homebuyer page and Travis County Hill Country Home DPA.
Additional Information:
- USDA Loans: 0% down in eligible rural areas; income limits and property eligibility apply (verify on USDA Rural Development site with property-specific checks).
- VA Loans: 0% down for eligible veterans/active-duty borrowers (verify entitlement and funding fee rules with a VA lender).
- FHA Loans: Minimum 3.5% down with credit-score thresholds per FHA guidelines (commonly 580+ for 3.5% DPA; lower scores generally require higher down payment).
Texas programs are diverse — state DPA commonly maxes at 5% while local city/county programs can be larger or smaller depending on funding. Always confirm program rules and current availability with the official program page or a program-approved lender before advising buyers.
Official resources: TDHCA Homebuyer Program, TSAHC, City/County housing pages linked above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Texas?
Texas buyers may qualify for statewide assistance, local city or county programs, and federal mortgage options such as FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Because Texas is a large state, available assistance can vary a lot by location.
Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Texas?
In many Texas programs, a first-time buyer is someone who has not owned a primary residence within the last three years. Some programs may also include repeat buyers, veterans, or buyers in targeted areas.
How much down payment assistance can Texas buyers get?
Texas down payment assistance may range from a small grant to a larger percentage-based benefit depending on the program. Assistance can come as a grant, a forgivable loan, or a deferred second mortgage.
Do Texas buyer assistance programs require homebuyer education?
Many Texas first-time buyer programs require at least one borrower to complete homebuyer education. This is meant to help buyers understand financing, budgeting, and the complete home buying process.
Is it important to use a Texas agent familiar with first-time buyer programs?
Yes. A Texas real estate agent with experience in buyer assistance can help you align your home search, lender choice, and offer strategy with the program rules you are using.