Forgivable loan
Homebuyers Assistance Program (HAP)
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · 1- to 2-unit owner-occupied primary residence (single-family detached, duplex, townhouse).
Down payment assistance · Delaware County
Buying a home in Chester, PA
1 Chester program, 2 county programs and 5 statewide.Chester has 1 program of its own, 2 more across Delaware County, and 5 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 Chester addresses
Chester’s own program
Anywhere in DelawareAnywhere in Delaware County
2 county programs2 county programs a Chester homebuyer can also use
1 more program is for homes in Upper Darby. See them 1 program in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not Chester
- Upper Darby — Upper Darby Township First Time Homebuyer Program
The Chester marketThe Chester housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Chester
- 7.3% single-familysingle-family
- 62.4% townhousetownhouse
- 13.1% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 17.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 2 of Chester’s 3 local and county programs accept condos. Homebuyers Assistance Program (HAP) lists 1- to 2-unit owner-occupied primary residence (single-family detached, duplex, townhouse)..
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Chester’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
84.8%
of Chester 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, Delaware County, 4-person household (2026)
$41,342
Chester median household incomeMedian household income in Chester (Census, 2024)
12 of the 70 programs here set their income limit as a share of Delaware County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Delaware County
Free help nearbyFree help near Chester
30 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles30 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.All 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 Pennsylvania and nationwide
67 statewide & federal programs5 statewide programs, plus federal options
Chester questions
Does Chester have its own down payment program?
Yes, one: Homebuyers Assistance Program (HAP), a forgivable loan for first-time homebuyers (forgiven over 5 yrs, income limits). It is for homes inside Chester.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Chester?
2 of Chester’s 3 local and county programs accept condos. Homebuyers Assistance Program (HAP) lists 1- to 2-unit owner-occupied primary residence (single-family detached, duplex, townhouse).. 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 Delaware County?
Each program sets its own. 12 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Delaware 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 Chester?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 30 agencies are within 15 miles of Chester. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
19013 · 19016
Nearby in Delaware
Sources
Sources: agency sites (July–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 (July–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.