County Loan Program Grants
Many
counties and towns in Pennsylvania provide special financing and grants
to first-time homebuyers and purchasers whose income is at or below
the median income level. Some counties offer down payment and closing-cost
assistance grants. Here are a few programs that I've found. If you are
aware of a first-time home buyer program that is not featured (or if
you can update the information), please send me an Email.
Adams County
Adams County closing-cost Assistance Program - Eligible home-buyers are able to obtain a low-interest loan from $2,000 to $7,000.Allegheny County
Except for Pittsburgh residents, all Allegheny County residents
who meet income criteria are eligible. As a minimum, a 3.5 percent
down payment is required.
Up to $5,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance is available
to eligible borrowers earning up to 100 percent of the area median
income.
- City of Pittsburgh
The City of Pittsburgh provides low-interest-rate home-loans for the purchase of new or existing homes (in move-in condition) located in the City of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Home Ownership Program - PHOP. Down payment and closing-cost assistance grant money is available to all eligible home-buyers. Read more
Armstrong County
Beaver County
Our partner lending institutions must approve applicants for our
First Time Buyer program. If your income falls within the income
guidelines, you may qualify for this program. The amount of
assistance provided is based on individual needs.
To be eligible, the applicant must not have $5,000.00 in liquid
assets at the time of closing. The assistance grant is forgiven at a
rate of 20% per year and is completely forgiven after five (5)
years.
If the home is sold before the anniversary date of five (5) years,
the remaining grant must be repaid. To apply for the First Time
Buyer program, please contact our office to schedule an initial
consultation. During the consultation, you will be asked to complete
an online intake form and provide relevant documents.
Contact at 724/728-7511
Bedford County
Berks County
Closing-cost assistance loan program for qualified low and moderate-income families who have been approved for FHA first mortgage financing to buy a house in Berks County, including Reading.
Blair County
Bradford County
Homeownership Program – This program is available in Bradford and Susquehanna counties for First Time Home Buyers.
Bucks County
First-Time Homebuyer Program
The Bucks County First Time Homebuyers Program will help qualifying
families with closing costs and down payments up to $10,000. The
buyer receives a no-interest deferred mortgage to repay when the
house is sold, transferred, refinanced, or no longer the primary
residence.
Bucks County Housing Organization provides housing advice and
assists applicants. Complete a BCHG Intake Application first. This
site has a brief housing counseling video.
The program requires families to earn at or below 100% of Bucks
County's Median Family Income, depending on family size. U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development data (HUD).
Butler County
Contact the Resident Initiatives Department to schedule an
appointment for Pre-Purchase Homeownership Counseling once you have
found the home you want to purchase. The Housing Authority will
match the money you have saved to close on your new home up to
$5,000 or half of your costs if you qualify. You must contribute 1%
of the total amount, but the remainder can be a gift. The money must
be available at the time of closing.
Contact:
Housing Authority County of Butler
114 Woody Drive
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-6797
bcha@housingauthority.com
Cambria County
Cameron County
Carbon County
Centre County
The Centre County Housing Trust Fund will be used to assist the home-buyer with down payment assistance. A maximum of $10,000, or 10% of the purchase price (whichever is less).
- State College
First-Time Homebuyer Program
Low- and middle-income families may get mortgage and closing cost
help through the Borough of State College First-Time Home Buyer
Program (FTHB). This might mean a mortgage at or below rent.
Qualified homebuyers get free homebuyer education and budget
guidance.
Income requirement. Excellent credit applicants with family incomes
slightly under the requirement may also be approved.
Contact: Contact the Community Development and Housing Division at
814-234-7109 or by email the Planning Department to find out more
information about these programs.
Chester County
Chester County has a terrific program for First Time Home Buyers; possibly the best closing-cost assistance program in the state. The maximum loan of $10,000 for the purchase of a home in a Chester County township and $12,500 for the purchase of a home in the City of Coatesville or in a Chester County borough
Clarion County
Clearfield County
Clinton County
Clinton County provides a First Time Home Buyers-closing-cost Assistance Program to promote homeownership opportunities for county residents.
Columbia County
Columbia County Housing Authority offers a down payment and closing-cost assistance Program for eligible low and moderate income First Time Home Buyers who want to purchase homes in the Columbia County.
Crawford County
Cumberland County
The Cumberland County First Time Home Buyers’ down payment and closing-cost assistance program provides eligible home-buyers with up to $3,000 in assistance to purchase homes in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County
Did you know that Dauphin County provides down payment and or closing-cost assistance up to $3,000 to eligible first-time buyers of Dauphin County homes?
- Upper Darby Township
Upper Darby Township's First-Time Homebuyer Program helps qualified purchasers buy their first home by providing up to $6,000. The applicants must fulfill federal income and citizenship standards and contribute 3.5% of the property's selling price or assessed value, whichever is smaller, to qualify for the program. To assist qualified candidates take advantage of this important opportunity, the program also details its requirements, eligibility criteria, property, and lender requirements. Read more
Delaware County
To qualified first-time home purchasers, the Homeownership First Program offers counseling as well as up to $5,000 in down payment and closing expenses.
Elk County
Erie County
Fayette County
Forest County
Franklin County
Fulton County
Greene County
Huntingdon County
- Smithfield Township
The maximum amount of assistance available per buyer is $5,000 for
closing-costs and half of their down payment expenses.
Indiana County
Jefferson County
Juniata County
Lackawanna County
The Lackawanna County Homebuyer Program provides assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers in the form of a deferred payment, forgivable loan to help cover down payment and closing costs. Qualified applicants can receive a minimum of $7,500 in assistance, and must complete a homebuyer education program before applying.
Approval is based on adjusted household income, and applicants may qualify for additional deductions. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important to apply early. Income guidelines are based on the latest HUD guidance, which is updated annually in June. For the most up-to-date information, interested parties should contact the program office. NeighborWorks Northeastern PA Phone (570) 558-2490
- City of Scranton
The City of Scranton Homebuyer Program offers a minimum of $5,000 in assistance to eligible applicants. To apply for the program, applicants must complete a homebuyer education course beforehand. Approval is based on the adjusted household income, and deductions may be applied. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is essential to apply as soon as possible to secure funding. With this program, first-time homebuyers can get the necessary support to achieve their dream of homeownership in Scranton. Contact: Neighborworks 570-558-2490
Lancaster County
Lancaster County offers eligible First Time Home Buyers a down payment and closing-cost assistance loan of 8% of the sales price up to a maximum of $5,000.00.
Lawrence County
Lebanon County
Lehigh County
Luzerne County
Lycoming County
- City of Williamsport
The City offers home-buyer assistance to help income-eligible households
to become homeowners in the City of Williamsport.
McKean County
Mercer County
Mifflin County
Monroe County
Montgomery County
The Montgomery County First Time Home Buyers Program helps
qualifying first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost
assistance. The program requires candidates to have a household
income below the median and satisfy other criteria.
Participants may get $10,000 or 10% of the anticipated reasonable
sales price. The interest rate is zero, and repayment is required
only if the participant sells, conveys, gives, or otherwise
transfers the house; vacates or abandons it as a main residence
within 15 years after purchase; or utilizes it as an investment or
income-producing property. Read
more
Montour County
The Monroe County First Time Home Buyers Program offers a second
mortgage up to a maximum of $5,000 or 10% of the purchase price, (whichever
is less).
Northampton County
Overview
First-time homebuyers who qualify may get loans via the Northampton
County First-Time Homebuyer Program. These loans provide up to
$5,000 in assistance with closing expenses and home purchase
expenditures. Northampton County places a lien on the property for 5
years or until it is sold in order to protect the investment in our
communities. 20% of the loan is forgiven for each year that you live
in your house. If the purchaser lives in the property for at least
five years, the debt is entirely erased.
Terms
Your household's yearly income cannot be more than 80% of the Lehigh
Valley's median income, as calculated by HUD each year. To be
applicable, there must be a Sale Agreement. To be eligible for this
loan, you must have your main mortgage from one of the financial
institutions that Northampton County partners with. These
organizations are regional, have knowledge of the program, and have
a solid track record of fulfilling federal standards for community
investment (CRA). Before closing, you must finish a HUD-certified or
-affiliated homebuyer education counseling program from a recognized
organization.
Northumberland County
Perry County
Philadelphia County
Homebuyer Assistance Program in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Homebuyer Assistance Program helps first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing fees. Eligible buyers of Philadelphia single-family homes or duplexes may get a $10,000 or 6% grant from the city. Complete a City-funded homeownership counseling program and fulfill income requirements to qualify. Enroll for the Homebuyer Help Program now to achieve your homeownership ambition.
Pike County
Potter County
Schuylkill County
Snyder County
Somerset County
Sullivan County
Susquehanna County
Tioga County
Union County
Union County offers eligible home-buyers with be $10,000 or 10% of the purchase price for a down payment and or closing-cost assistance. The total amount of any loan shall not exceed $10,000.
Venango County
The Venango County First Time Home Buyer Program
The program provides eligible applicants with a closing-costs or down
payment assistance loan of up to $5,000 or 10% of the purchase price,
whichever is less.
Warren County
Washington County
The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington (RACW) runs the Washington County Homebuyer Assistance Program to assist low- and moderate-income families acquire their dream home. Two loans—one for down payment and one for rehabilitation—help first-time homeowners. HUD's CDBG and HOME programs sponsor this initiative. Read on to find out whether you qualify for the program. Read more
Wayne County
Westmoreland County
York County
Tenfold also distributes funds from the York City and County to
provide income-eligible first-time homebuyers with down payment
and/or closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% forgivable
deferred payment loan. This loan may be used toward down payment and
closing cost fees for homes in the City of York, not to exceed
$7,000, and for homes in York County, not to exceed $5,000. This is
a 0% interest loan with no monthly payments.
Call 717-827-4334
Recommended Reading
Credit Report Tips for First-time
Homebuyers
A Credit Score: What is it?
Home Buying 101: Essential Articles
for First-Time Buyers
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