See what you qualify for
City programForgivable

First Time Homebuyer program

First Time Homebuyer program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Abilene, Texas.

Last verified

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: FTHB requirement waived for displaced homemakers per HUD definitions.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 620 minimum FICO; lender overlay may apply.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required; local provider Big Country Community Action Agency.
  • Residency: Property within Abilene city limits; primary residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien per HOME.
  • First-time homebuyer (no homeownership in past 3 years). Property within Abilene city limits. Income at or below 80% AMI Abilene MSA ($45,100-$85,000). HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education. $500 borrower investment. Owner-occupancy required for full 5-year forgiveness term. HOME affordability period applies. Property must pass HQS inspection.
  • A home inside Abilene city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Abilene

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Taylor County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$92,100
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Abilene’s homes

  • 69.2% single-family
  • 3% townhouse
  • 7.7% 2–4 units
  • 16.9% 5+ units
  • 3.2% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$183,700

Abilene median home value

56.1%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Abilene

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required; local provider Big Country Community Action Agency..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply directly to City of Abilene Neighborhood Services; awards subject to fund availability., and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    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.

Questions about this program

What is First Time Homebuyer program?

First Time Homebuyer program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Abilene, Texas. Abilene FTHB DPA up to $7,500 forgivable second mortgage at 0% with 5-year forgiveness; 80% AMI Taylor County; HOME-funded. City of Abilene's First Time Homebuyer program provides up to $7,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time homebuyers within Abilene city limits. Structured as a deferred 0% forgivable second mortgage with 5-year forgiveness. Funds may be applied to down payment, closing costs, prepaids. HUD HOME-funded. Funding comes from Local and HOME.

Do you have to pay it back?

First Time Homebuyer program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by 20% per year forgiveness over 5 years and pro-rata recapture if sold, refinanced, or non-occupied during term. 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.

Who qualifies?

First Time Homebuyer program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: FTHB requirement waived for displaced homemakers per HUD definitions. On credit, the program states: 620 minimum FICO; lender overlay may apply. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required; local provider Big Country Community Action Agency. Residency requirement: Property within Abilene city limits; primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien per HOME. First-time homebuyer (no homeownership in past 3 years). Property within Abilene city limits. Income at or below 80% AMI Abilene MSA ($45,100-$85,000). HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education. $500 borrower investment. Owner-occupancy required for full 5-year forgiveness term. HOME affordability period applies. Property must pass HQS inspection.

What are the income limits?

First Time Homebuyer program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Income limits at 80% AMI Abilene MSA by HH size: $45,100 (1) to $85,000 (8). Updated annually. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

First Time Homebuyer program caps the purchase price as follows: Per HUD HOME 95% area median Abilene MSA; verify current schedule. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, townhouse, condominium, PUD and 1-unit only. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

First Time Homebuyer program 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.

Where does it apply?

First Time Homebuyer program serves homebuyers purchasing in Abilene, Texas.

How do you apply?

Applications for First Time Homebuyer program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Apply directly to City of Abilene Neighborhood Services; awards subject to fund availability. 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.

Also for Abilene homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 114 programs for Abilene

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.