Home-Buy the American Dream (HBAD)
Shared-appreciation loan · Income limit 80% of AMI
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Wisconsin
Buying a home in Dane County, WI
3 county-wide programs, plus 6 statewide and 62 nationwide.Dane has 3 programs that cover the whole county. On top of those, 6 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 DaneAnywhere in Dane County
3 programs for every Dane address3 programs that cover every Dane address
All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Madison, Sun Prairie or Fitchburg can use them. All 3 ask for a homebuyer class.
Dane County CDBG Down Payment Assistance Program
Deferred second loan · Income limit 80% of AMI
See details Jul 2026
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Homeownership Program
Down-payment assistance · New construction · Income limit 60% of AMI
single_family
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Dane, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
The Dane marketThe Dane housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Dane
- 50.5% single-familysingle-family
- 6.6% townhousetownhouse
- 8.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 33.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.8% mobile & othermobile home & other
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Dane’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
43.4%
of Dane 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.
$135,300
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Dane County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$89,975
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Dane (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
57.1%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Wisconsin: 67.8%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 11 of the 71 programs here set their income limit as a share of Dane County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Dane County
Free help in DaneFree help in Dane
2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county2 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Dane County
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.
Find my counselor
Free account → 90-second match → your counselors · Sign in
Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Dane County.
27 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Dane CountyAll 27 cities and places in Dane County
Dane questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Dane?
The 3 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs 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 Dane 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 Dane programs accept condos?
Each program sets which kinds of homes it accepts; the program’s page lists them where the agency publishes them.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Dane?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 2 agencies have an office in Dane 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 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.