Delaware County Homeownership First 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
Down payment assistance · Pennsylvania
Buying a home in Delaware County, PA
2 county-wide programs, 2 cities with their own, plus 5 statewide and 62 nationwide.Delaware has 2 programs that cover the whole county and 2 cities with a program of their own. 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 DelawareAnywhere in Delaware County
2 programs for every Delaware address2 programs that cover every Delaware address
All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Chester, Wayne or Radnor can use them. All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Homeownership First 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
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Delaware, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
2 cities with their own program2 Delaware cities with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 2.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 2 county-wide programs above.
The Delaware marketThe Delaware housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Delaware
- 43.6% single-familysingle-family
- 32% townhousetownhouse
- 8.7% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 15.4% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.3% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 2 county-wide programs and 0 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Upper Darby Township First Time Homebuyer Program lists single family, row home and twin. 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 Delaware’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
79.3%
of Delaware 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, Delaware County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$89,546
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Delaware (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
69.6%
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. 13 of the 71 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 in DelawareFree help in Delaware
3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county3 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Delaware County
4 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 4 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 Delaware County.
36 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Delaware CountyAll 36 cities and places in Delaware County
has a program of its own
- Aldan
- Boothwyn
- Brookhaven
- Broomall
- Chester
- Chester Heights
- Clifton Heights
- Collingdale
- Colwyn
- Darby
- Drexel Hill
- East Lansdowne
- Eddystone
- Folcroft
- Folsom
- Glenolden
- Lansdowne
- Lima
- Linwood
- Marcus Hook
- Media
- Morton
- Norwood
- Parkside
- Prospect Park
- Radnor
- Ridley Park
- Sharon Hill
- Springfield
- Swarthmore
- Trainer
- Upland
- Village Green-Green Ridge
- Wayne
- Woodlyn
- Yeadon
Delaware questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Delaware?
The 2 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Chester’s and Upper Darby’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 Delaware 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 Delaware programs accept condos?
All 2 county-wide programs and 0 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Upper Darby Township First Time Homebuyer Program lists single family, row home and twin. Homebuyers Assistance Program (HAP) lists 1- to 2-unit owner-occupied primary residence (single-family detached, duplex, townhouse).. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Delaware?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 3 agencies have an office in Delaware 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.