Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Harris County, Texas. Harris County (excluding City of Houston, Pasadena, Baytown) DAP: up to $23,800 forgivable second mortgage at 0% interest for first-time homebuyers. CDBG/HOME-funded. Tiered 5-10 year affordability. 80% AMI ceiling. Max purchase $280K existing / $292K new construction. 580 FICO. Harris County Community Services Department's Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) provides up to $23,800 in down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing primary residences within Harris County, excluding the City of Houston, City of Pasadena, and City of Baytown (each of which operates its own program). CDBG/HOME-funded. Structured as a 0% interest deferred forgivable second mortgage with tiered affordability per HUD HOME 24 CFR 92.254 (5-year under $15K. 10-year $15K-$40K). Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional 30-year fixed first mortgage. 80% AMI ceiling. Maximum purchase price $280,000 existing / $292,000 new construction. 580 FICO minimum. Funding comes from Federal.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Deferred 0% second mortgage. 5-year affordability for under $15K and 10-year for $15K-$40K per HUD HOME 24 CFR 92.254. Sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or vacating before period ends triggers prorata repayment of unforgiven balance. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time homebuyer required (no ownership in past 3 years). Veteran exception per HUD rule. On credit, the program states: 580 minimum FICO across all products. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required. Local providers include Avenue CDC, Covenant Community Capital, NeighborhoodCenters, and Houston Area Urban League. Residency requirement: Property must be located in Harris County (excluding City of Houston, Pasadena, Baytown) and occupied as primary residence throughout affordability period. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien per first-mortgage product overlays. Property must be located in Harris County, TX, EXCLUDING the City of Houston (which has its own HAP), City of Pasadena, and City of Baytown (each separate participating jurisdiction with its own HOME/CDBG program). First-time homebuyer required (no ownership in past 3 years; veteran exception). Household income at or below 80% AMI for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA. Mandatory 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education class. Minimum $500 borrower contribution. 580 FICO minimum. Property must be a single-family detached, condominium, or townhouse used as primary residence. 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage required.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 80% AMI for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA per HUD; 1-person $53,000 / 4-person $75,650 / 8-person $99,950 (2025 limits). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) caps the purchase price at $292,000. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condominium, townhouse, PUD. Must be primary residence. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Harris County, Texas. The program targets specific areas: Harris County excluding the City of Houston, City of Pasadena, and City of Baytown. Each of those cities operates its own HOME/CDBG-funded participating jurisdiction program for residents within their respective city limits.

Applications for Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Reserved by participating lender through Harris County CSD. Funds available on first-come, first-served basis subject to annual CDBG/HOME allocation. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.