Dauphin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund First-Time Homebuyers Program (FTHB)
Deferred second loan · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Pennsylvania
Buying a home in Dauphin County, PA
3 county-wide programs, plus 5 statewide and 62 nationwide.Dauphin 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 DauphinAnywhere in Dauphin County
3 programs for every Dauphin address3 programs that cover every Dauphin address
All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Harrisburg, Hershey or Colonial Park can use them. All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.
First - Time Homebuyers Program
Deferred second loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached, Townhouse, Condominium
See details Jul 2026
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area Homeownership Program
First mortgage · New construction · Income limits
Single Family
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Dauphin, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
The Dauphin marketThe Dauphin housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Dauphin
- 49.5% single-familysingle-family
- 22.4% townhousetownhouse
- 8.1% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 17.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.7% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 1 of the 3 county-wide programs list condos as eligible. Dauphin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund First-Time Homebuyers Program (FTHB) lists single family. Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area Homeownership Program lists single family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Dauphin’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
61.7%
of Dauphin 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.
$109,300
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Dauphin County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$76,242
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Dauphin (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
63.1%
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. 11 of the 70 programs here set their income limit as a share of Dauphin County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Dauphin County
Free help in DauphinFree help in Dauphin
2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county2 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Dauphin 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 Dauphin County.
25 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Dauphin CountyAll 25 cities and places in Dauphin County
Dauphin questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Dauphin?
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 Dauphin 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 Dauphin programs accept condos?
1 of the 3 county-wide programs list condos as eligible. Dauphin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund First-Time Homebuyers Program (FTHB) lists single family. Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area Homeownership Program lists single family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Dauphin?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 2 agencies have an office in Dauphin 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.