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City of Gary First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (Homeownership Opportunity Network)
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single-family
Down payment assistance · Lake County
Buying a home in Gary, IN
2 Gary programs, 1 county program and 8 statewide.Gary has 2 programs of its own, 1 more across Lake County, and 8 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 Gary addresses
Gary’s own programs
First mortgage
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program
New construction · Income limits · single_family
Anywhere in LakeAnywhere in Lake County
1 county program1 county program a Gary homebuyer can also use
2 more programs are for homes in East Chicago and Hammond. See them 2 programs in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not Gary
- East Chicago — Home Ownership Program
- Hammond — Homebound Downpayment Assistance Program
The Gary marketThe Gary housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Gary
- 71.9% single-familysingle-family
- 5.6% townhousetownhouse
- 6.7% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 13.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.5% mobile & othermobile home & other
About condos. None of Gary’s 3 local and county programs list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Gary’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
88.4%
of Gary 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.
$100,900
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Lake County, 4-person household (2026)
$38,731
Gary median household incomeMedian household income in Gary (Census, 2024)
13 of the 73 programs here set their income limit as a share of Lake County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Lake County
Free help nearbyFree help near Gary
4 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles4 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.2 of the 3 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 Indiana and nationwide
70 statewide & federal programs8 statewide programs, plus federal options
Gary questions
Does Gary have its own down payment program?
Yes, 2: City of Gary First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (Homeownership Opportunity Network) and Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program. Each is for homes inside Gary.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Gary?
None of Gary’s 3 local and county programs list condos as eligible. 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 Lake County?
Each program sets its own. 13 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Lake 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 Gary?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 4 agencies are within 15 miles of Gary. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
46401 · 46402 · 46403 · 46404 · 46406 · 46407 · 46408 · 46409
Nearby in Lake
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.