Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 20 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single Family, Townhouse, Condo
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · North Carolina
Buying a home in Wake County, NC
3 county-wide programs, 1 city with their own, plus 6 statewide and 62 nationwide.Wake has 3 programs that cover the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 6 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 WakeAnywhere in Wake County
3 programs for every Wake address3 programs that cover every Wake address
All 3 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Raleigh, Cary or Apex can use them. All 3 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Affordable Homeownership Program
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 10 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached, townhouse, condominium.
See details Jul 2026
Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh Homeownership Program
First mortgage · New construction · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Wake, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Wake 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 Wake marketThe Wake housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Wake
- 58.3% single-familysingle-family
- 11.5% townhousetownhouse
- 3.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 24% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.7% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 2 of the 3 county-wide programs and all 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh Homeownership Program lists single family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Wake’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
17.8%
of Wake 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.
$132,300
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Wake County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$105,768
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Wake (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
64.1%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (North Carolina: 66.6%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 17 of the 73 programs here set their income limit as a share of Wake County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Wake County
Free help in WakeFree help in Wake
9 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county9 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Wake County
5 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 5 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 Wake County.
13 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Wake CountyAll 13 cities and places in Wake County
has a program of its own
Wake questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Wake?
The 3 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Raleigh’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 Wake 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 Wake programs accept condos?
2 of the 3 county-wide programs and all 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh Homeownership Program lists single family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Wake?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 9 agencies have an office in Wake 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.