Chester County First Time Homebuyer Program
Deferred second loan · New construction · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached, Semi-detached, Attached/townhouse, Condominium
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Pennsylvania
Buying a home in Chester County, PA
3 county-wide programs, plus 5 statewide and 62 nationwide.Chester has 3 programs that cover the whole county. On top of those, 5 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 ChesterAnywhere in Chester County
3 programs for every Chester address3 programs that cover every Chester address
All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in West Chester, Phoenixville or Coatesville can use them. All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.
First Time Home Buyer Program
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
1- to 2-unit owner-occupied primary residence (single-family detached, duplex, condominium, townhouse).
See details Jul 2026
Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program
Down-payment assistance · New construction · Income limit 60% of AMI
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Chester, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
The Chester marketThe Chester housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Chester
- 60% single-familysingle-family
- 19.3% townhousetownhouse
- 4.3% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 14.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 2 of the 3 county-wide programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program lists single family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Chester’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
44.9%
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
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Chester County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$127,208
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Chester (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
75.1%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Pennsylvania: 69.3%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 12 of the 70 programs here set their income limit as a share of Chester County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Chester County
Free help in ChesterFree help in Chester
2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county2 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Chester County
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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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Chester County.
27 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Chester CountyAll 27 cities and places in Chester County
Chester questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Chester?
The 3 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs 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 Chester 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 Chester programs accept condos?
2 of the 3 county-wide programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program lists single family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Chester?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 2 agencies have an office in Chester 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 (July–August 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.