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Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE)

San Antonio, Texas

Last verified
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Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 10 years

What is Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE)?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in San Antonio, Texas.

  • City of San Antonio employer-assisted DPA program providing up to $20,000 forgivable second mortgage exclusively for City of San Antonio full-time employees. 0% interest, 10-year forgiveness, owner-occupied within Bexar County.
  • City of San Antonio's Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) provides up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to active full-time City of San Antonio employees purchasing a home within Bexar County. The loan is a deferred 0% second mortgage forgiven on a pro-rata basis over 10 years of continued owner-occupancy and continued City employment requirements. Funds may be used for down payment, closing costs, prepaids.
  • Funding comes from Local and Employer Assisted.

Do you have to pay it back?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Pro-rata forgiveness over 10 years and balance recaptured 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?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • 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; SA-area providers include Alamo Community Group, Family Service Association, NHS San Antonio.
  • Residency: Property within Bexar County; primary residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien.
  • RESTRICTED TO ACTIVE FULL-TIME CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEES. Property must be within Bexar County; primary residence. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Minimum $500 borrower contribution. 620 FICO. Owner-occupancy required throughout forgiveness term. Recorded second deed of trust. Eligibility verification of City employment required at application; certain provisions may apply if employment terminates during forgiveness period.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 120% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Income limits typically up to 120% AMI San Antonio MSA; verify current schedule with NHSD.
  • 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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) caps the purchase price as follows: Per NHSD acquisition cost limits / HUD HOME 95% AMP where applicable.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family detached, townhouse, condominium, PUD and 1-unit only.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) serves buyers purchasing in San Antonio, Texas.

How do you apply?

Applications for Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education required; SA-area providers include Alamo Community Group, Family Service Association, NHS San Antonio..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply through NHSD; 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE), explained

A short, free course on Home Ownership Program for Employees (HOPE): what it is, who it is for, how it is forgiven, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

5 modules · About 10 minutes

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