First mortgage
Charleston Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single Family
Down payment assistance · Charleston County
Buying a home in Charleston, SC
2 Charleston programs, 1 county program and 11 statewide.Charleston has 2 programs of its own, 1 more across Charleston County, and 11 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 Charleston addresses
Charleston’s own programs
Forgivable loan
City of Charleston Homeownership Initiative (HI) - First-Time Homebuyer Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single Family
Anywhere in CharlestonAnywhere in Charleston County
1 county program1 county program a Charleston homebuyer can also use
The Charleston marketThe Charleston housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Charleston
- 47.7% single-familysingle-family
- 6.9% townhousetownhouse
- 9.1% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 35.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.9% mobile & othermobile home & other
About condos. None of Charleston’s 3 local and county programs list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Charleston’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
34.4%
of Charleston 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.
$117,500
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Charleston County, 4-person household (2026)
$92,414
Charleston median household incomeMedian household income in Charleston (Census, 2024)
12 of the 76 programs here set their income limit as a share of Charleston County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Charleston County
Free help nearbyFree help near Charleston
4 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles4 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 South Carolina and nationwide
73 statewide & federal programs11 statewide programs, plus federal options
Charleston questions
Does Charleston have its own down payment program?
Yes, 2: Charleston Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program and City of Charleston Homeownership Initiative (HI) - First-Time Homebuyer Program. Each is for homes inside Charleston.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Charleston?
None of Charleston’s 3 local and county programs list condos as eligible. 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 Charleston County?
Each program sets its own. 12 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Charleston 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 Charleston?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 4 agencies are within 15 miles of Charleston. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
29401 · 29402 · 29403 · 29406 · 29407 · 29409 · 29412 · 29413 · 29414 · 29416 · 29417 · 29422 · 29423 · 29424 · 29425 · 29492
Nearby in Charleston
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.