First-time homebuyer help in Houston & Kingwood

Who it may help

Low- and moderate-income buyers in Texas, including first-time and repeat buyers.

Where

Statewide, including Harris and Montgomery counties.

Income limits (Harris and Montgomery counties)

Up to $156,000 for FHA, VA or USDA loans with standard assistance and for conventional loans above 80% of area income; $84,080 for conventional loans at or below 80%; $83,200 for the 30-year repayable option. From TSAHC’s county limits tool, which shows no effective date.

Purchase price limits

None when the standard (non-bond) assistance is used by itself. With the 30-year repayable option or a Mortgage Credit Certificate: $566,354.70, or $692,211.30 in a targeted area.

Credit and lender

Minimum credit score 620 for FHA, VA and USDA loans and 640 for conventional loans. Scores of 620–639 carry a 0.25% charge on government loans. You must use a TSAHC-approved lender; the published debt-to-income cap for manually underwritten loans is 45%.

First-time buyer rule

Not required for the standard assistance. Required for the 30-year repayable option and the Mortgage Credit Certificate: no ownership interest in a principal residence in the past three years, waived in targeted areas and for qualified veterans.

Homebuyer education

At least one borrower completes an approved homebuyer course before closing.

Assistance amount

2% to 5% of the total loan amount. It may pay down payment and closing costs only.

Structure

Grant (FHA, VA and USDA loans only; not repaid after six months), 3-year deferred forgivable second lien at 0%, or 30-year deferred repayable second lien at 0% (FHA, VA and USDA only, for buyers at or below 80% of area income, when available).

Repayment and restrictions

The forgivable lien is repaid in full if you sell, refinance, pay off the first loan or stop living in the home within three years. The 30-year lien is due when you sell, refinance or pay off the first loan, or at 30 years. You must move in within 60 days; 30-year fixed-rate loans only. Federal recapture tax may apply to the 30-year option and the Mortgage Credit Certificate if you sell within nine years.

Who it may help

Full-time Texas public school classroom teachers and certain school staff, nursing and allied health faculty, peace officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, corrections and juvenile corrections officers, county jailers and veterans. See TSAHC’s list for exact definitions.

Where

Statewide, including Harris and Montgomery counties.

Income limits (Harris and Montgomery counties)

Up to $176,800 for FHA, VA or USDA loans with standard assistance and for conventional loans above 80% of area income; $84,080 for conventional at or below 80%; $83,200 for the 30-year repayable option (TSAHC county limits tool).

Purchase price limits

Same as Home Sweet Texas: none for standard assistance by itself; $566,354.70 (or $692,211.30 in a targeted area) with the 30-year option or a Mortgage Credit Certificate.

Credit and lender

Minimum 620 for FHA, VA and USDA, 640 for conventional, through a TSAHC-approved lender. Your employer or license may need to verify your profession.

First-time buyer rule

Same as Home Sweet Texas: required only for the 30-year option and the Mortgage Credit Certificate.

Homebuyer education

At least one borrower completes an approved course before closing.

Assistance amount

2% to 5% of the total loan amount.

Structure

Grant, 3-year forgivable second lien or 30-year repayable second lien, as with Home Sweet Texas. TSAHC waives its Mortgage Credit Certificate fee for Heroes borrowers.

Repayment and restrictions

Same triggers as Home Sweet Texas: sale, refinance, payoff or moving out before forgiveness; principal residence; 30-year fixed-rate loans.

Who it may help

First-time buyers, plus qualified veterans and buyers in targeted census tracts, who are exempt from the first-time rule.

Where

Statewide. Harris and Montgomery counties are in TDHCA’s Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area.

Income limits

$104,000 for households of 1–2 and $119,600 for 3 or more; in targeted areas $124,800 and $145,600 (effective July 13, 2026).

Purchase price limits

$566,354, or $692,211 in a targeted area (one-unit homes, effective July 13, 2026).

Credit and lender

Minimum middle credit score 620, through a TDHCA-approved lender. Debt-to-income follows the automated underwriting findings; manually underwritten loans are capped at 45%.

First-time buyer rule

You have not owned and occupied a primary residence in the last three years. Exceptions for qualified veterans (DD-214) and homes in qualified targeted census tracts.

Homebuyer education

A HUD-certified homebuyer course for every borrower.

Assistance amount

2% to 5% of the total loan amount, funding permitting.

Structure

TDHCA’s program matrix lists a 30-year deferred repayable second lien and a 3-year deferred forgivable second lien, both at 0%. The Oct 14, 2026 rate notice labels this program as 30-year deferred repayable, so ask the lender which option is offered today.

Repayment and restrictions

The 30-year lien is due when you sell, refinance, transfer or pay off the first loan. Move in within 60 days; no cash back at closing. Federal recapture tax may apply.

Who it may help

First-time and repeat buyers, and qualified veterans.

Where

Statewide.

Income limits

Income limits apply and vary by loan type (TDHCA table effective July 13, 2026). We could not confirm from the published table which figure applies to each loan type in the Houston area, so confirm your limit with a participating lender.

Purchase price limits

None, per TDHCA’s program matrix.

Credit and lender

Minimum middle credit score 620; FHA, VA, USDA or conventional (Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage) through a TDHCA-approved lender.

First-time buyer rule

None.

Homebuyer education

A HUD-certified homebuyer course for each borrower before purchase.

Assistance amount

2% to 5% of the total loan amount, subject to available funding.

Structure

The Oct 14, 2026 rate notice labels it a 3-year deferred forgivable second lien at 0%; the program matrix also lists a 30-year deferred repayable option. Confirm with the lender.

Repayment and restrictions

The forgivable lien becomes due if you sell, refinance or pay off the first loan, or stop living in the home, before 36 months. Move in within 60 days. Not subject to federal recapture tax.

Who it may help

First-time buyers, qualified veterans and buyers in targeted areas who use the program.

Where

Statewide.

Income limits

$104,000 for households of 1–2 and $119,600 for 3 or more in the Houston area; $124,800 and $145,600 in targeted areas.

Purchase price limits

About $566,354 ($692,211 in a targeted area).

Credit and lender

Apply through an approved lender before you close. TSAHC certificates are available only with its loan (not with its 30-year repayable assistance). TDHCA offers one with My First Texas Home or as a stand-alone option with an outside loan.

First-time buyer rule

No ownership interest in a principal residence in the past three years; waived for qualified veterans and in targeted areas.

Homebuyer education

Required under each agency’s program rules.

Assistance amount

A credit equal to 15% of the year’s mortgage interest. Fees: TSAHC $400 (waived for Texas Heroes); TDHCA $400 with its loan or $1,000 stand-alone, waived for military.

Structure

Federal income tax credit certificate.

Repayment and restrictions

A federal recapture tax may apply if you sell within nine years. Ask a tax adviser how the credit affects your return.

Who it may help

Buyers using a 30-year fixed FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loan through an approved lender, first-time or not.

Where

Texas, outside Travis County and the city limits of El Paso, McKinney and Grand Prairie. That includes Houston, Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Porter and New Caney.

Income limits (Harris and Montgomery counties)

$84,080 (Charter) or $183,925 (Standard), effective June 15, 2026.

Purchase price limits

None set by the program; the loan program’s own limits apply.

Credit and lender

Minimum middle credit score 640 for all borrowers; lender approved by U.S. Bank and signed with SETH.

First-time buyer rule

None.

Homebuyer education

SETH’s online course for one borrower; $100, free for borrowers under the Charter income limit.

Assistance amount

Up to 5% of the final loan amount, depending on the daily rate sheet.

Structure

Second lien with no payments: forgiven in full at the third anniversary, or a 30-year deferred loan that is repaid.

Repayment and restrictions

Any unforgiven balance is due when you sell or refinance; the 30-year option is due on sale, refinance or maturity. Primary residence, occupied within 60 days; no cash back.

Who it may help

First-time buyers (no home owned in the last three years) at or below 80% of area income.

Where

Homes that pay City of Houston taxes. A Houston, Kingwood or Humble mailing address does not decide it: many Kingwood addresses are inside city limits, while Atascocita, the City of Humble, Porter and New Caney are not.

Income limits

80% of area income, effective June 1, 2026: $58,250 for one person, $66,600 for two, $74,900 for three, $83,200 for four, up to $109,850 for eight.

Purchase price limits

No fixed cap; the price cannot exceed the appraised value.

Credit and lender

Credit score is not considered; housing costs up to 33% and total debts up to 45% of income; fixed-rate loan from a participating lender; liquid assets under $50,000.

Homebuyer education

An 8-hour course from a HUD-approved agency before applying.

Assistance amount

Up to $75,000, based on need.

Structure

0% forgivable second lien. Up to $50,000 is forgiven over 5 years; above $50,000, over 8 years.

Repayment and restrictions

Repayment if you sell, rent out, stop living in the home, take cash out or default during the affordability period. City inspection before closing; flood insurance rules in the 100-year floodplain.

The city also lists HbAP 2.0 (for people who lived in the city on Aug 25, 2017; current status not confirmed) and the New Home Development Program (City-built homes in specific neighborhoods such as Settegast and Denver Harbor). Availability requires confirmation with the city.

Who it may help

First-time buyers (no home owned in the three years before applying) who meet the income limits.

Where

Unincorporated Harris County, inside a qualified census tract and outside flood hazard areas. Kingwood (City of Houston) is outside it. Atascocita is unincorporated, so it depends on the census tract. We could not confirm whether the City of Humble is covered.

Income limits

Income qualified; the county’s 2026 80% table lists $58,250 for one person up to $109,850 for eight.

Purchase price limits

$285,000 for an existing home; $296,000 for a new home.

Credit and lender

Minimum credit score 580; housing costs up to 39% and total debts up to 42% of income; participating lender; you contribute at least $1,000; liquid assets of $30,000 or less.

Homebuyer education

A course from a HUD-approved provider.

Assistance amount

Up to $40,000, only the amount needed.

Structure

A “silent” second mortgage with a 5-year (under $25,000) or 10-year affordability period. Repayment terms were not stated on the page; confirm with the county.

Repayment and restrictions

The home must meet county property standards.

Harris County also lists a separate Beryl/Derecho Homebuyer Assistance Program (assistance of up to 45% of the price, 620 credit score, 10-year occupancy). Its geography and open status were not stated, so availability requires confirmation.

Who it may help

Buyers below 80% of area income who have not owned a home in the last three years.

Where

Montgomery County outside Conroe city limits. Porter and New Caney are in Montgomery County, but some addresses near the county line are in Harris County, so check the county for each address.

Income limits

Below 80% of area income: $58,250 for one person up to $109,850 for eight.

Purchase price limits

$285,000 (existing home) and $291,000 (new home) per the 2026–2027 flyer. An earlier 2026 flyer lists $282,000 and $292,000, so confirm.

Credit and lender

30-year fixed FHA, conventional, USDA or VA loan; housing debt ratio 43%; at least $500 in cash assets.

Homebuyer education

A HUD-approved homebuyer class.

Assistance amount

Up to $12,600 per household; no cash back at closing.

Structure

Not stated on the program materials; confirm with the administrator.

Repayment and restrictions

A housing quality inspection; pre-1978 homes get a paint check.

Who it may help

Harris County buyers using a TDHCA single-family loan (TDHCA lists it with My First Texas Home).

Assistance amount

$1,000 per household.

Structure

Grant.