Polk County Down Payment Assistance Program
Deferred second loan · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Iowa
Buying a home in Polk County, IA
3 county-wide programs, 1 city with their own, plus 7 statewide and 62 nationwide.Polk has 3 programs that cover the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 7 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in PolkAnywhere in Polk County
3 programs for every Polk address3 programs that cover every Polk address
All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Des Moines, West Des Moines or Ankeny can use them. All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.
Greater Des Moines Habitat Homeownership: Direct (Down Payment Assistance)
Deferred second loan · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single Family
See details Sep 2026
NFC Advantage Loan - Forgivable Renovation Loan & Down Payment Assistance
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 100% of AMI
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Polk, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Polk city with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 3.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 3 county-wide programs above.
The Polk marketThe Polk housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Polk
- 62.7% single-familysingle-family
- 7.6% townhousetownhouse
- 3.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 23.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
About condos. None of the 1 county or city program here list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Polk’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
48.5%
of Polk 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.
$116,400
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Polk County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$83,576
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Polk (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
67.4%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Iowa: 71.7%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 13 of the 73 programs here set their income limit as a share of Polk County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Polk County
Free help in PolkFree help in Polk
3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county3 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Polk County
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.
Find my counselor
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Polk County.
14 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Polk CountyAll 14 cities and places in Polk County
has a program of its own
Polk questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Polk?
The 3 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like West Des Moines’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Polk County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Polk programs accept condos?
None of the 1 county or city program here list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Polk?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 3 agencies have an office in Polk County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–September 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.