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

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