Assistance grant
Live Near Your Work Homebuyer Assistance Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single Family
Down payment assistance · New Castle County
Buying a home in Wilmington, DE
3 Wilmington programs, 1 county program and 16 statewide.Wilmington has 3 programs of its own, 1 more across New Castle County, and 16 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Wilmington addresses
Wilmington’s own programs
Deferred second loan
First Start Homebuyers' Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family detached
First mortgage
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single Family
Anywhere in New CastleAnywhere in New Castle County
1 county program1 county program a Wilmington homebuyer can also use
The Wilmington marketThe Wilmington housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Wilmington
- 9.6% single-familysingle-family
- 53.7% townhousetownhouse
- 11.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 25.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 1 of Wilmington’s 4 local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Wilmington’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
78.9%
of Wilmington homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$122,700
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, New Castle County, 4-person household (2026)
$58,671
Wilmington median household incomeMedian household income in Wilmington (Census, 2024)
15 of the 82 programs here set their income limit as a share of New Castle County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for New Castle County
Free help nearbyFree help near Wilmington
9 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles9 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
3 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.3 of the 4 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across Delaware and nationwide
78 statewide & federal programs16 statewide programs, plus federal options
Wilmington questions
Does Wilmington have its own down payment program?
Yes, 3: Live Near Your Work Homebuyer Assistance Program, First Start Homebuyers' Program and Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program. Each is for homes inside Wilmington.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Wilmington?
1 of Wilmington’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in New Castle County?
Each program sets its own. 15 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for New Castle County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Wilmington?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 9 agencies are within 15 miles of Wilmington. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
19801 · 19802 · 19803 · 19804 · 19805 · 19806 · 19807 · 19808 · 19809 · 19810 · 19850 · 19880 · 19884 · 19885 · 19886 · 19887 · 19889 · 19890 · 19891 · 19892 · 19893 · 19894 · 19895 · 19896 · 19897 · 19898 · 19899
Nearby in New Castle
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.