State-by-State DPA Guide 2026: Programs Available in NJ, NY, CA, TX, FL, and PA

A 2026 overview of first-time homebuyer down payment assistance programs in the six most-searched states, including what each program offers and how to start an application.

Down payment assistance programs are updated frequently. Always verify current program availability, income limits, and eligibility requirements directly with the administering state agency or a HUD-approved housing counselor before applying. The information below reflects publicly available program information as of mid-2026 and is provided for general educational purposes.

Down payment assistance programs are administered at the state level through Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs), at the local level through municipal programs, and at the federal level through programs like those administered by the Federal Home Loan Banks.

Every state has something. Here is an overview of what is available in six high-population states.

New Jersey

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) administers several programs for first-time buyers in New Jersey. The Down Payment Assistance Program provides eligible first-time buyers with up to $15,000 in assistance, structured as an interest-free, five-year forgivable second loan that must be paired with an NJHMFA first mortgage. First-generation buyers may be eligible for an additional $7,000, for a combined total of up to $22,000. Buyers must meet income and purchase price limits and must use an NJHMFA-approved lender.

NJHMFA also offers the First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program, which provides below-market mortgage rates alongside the down payment assistance.

Additional assistance may be available through local county and municipal programs, particularly in urban areas.

New York

The New York State Homes and Community Renewal agency administers the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) programs. SONYMA offers the Achieving the Dream and Low Interest Rate programs, both targeting first-time buyers with competitive rates and down payment assistance.

The HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program in New York City provides up to 20% of the purchase price (up to $100,000) for eligible buyers purchasing in the five boroughs.

Income and purchase price limits apply. HUD-approved counseling is typically required.

California

CalHFA (California Housing Finance Agency) offers multiple stacked programs including the MyHome Assistance Program, which provides up to 3.5% in down payment or closing cost assistance as a deferred-payment loan, and the CalPLUS Conventional Loan combined with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP).

California also administers the Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program, which helps eligible first-generation buyers with up to 20% of the purchase price (up to $150,000), to be repaid along with a share of the home's appreciation when the home is sold or refinanced. Dream For All opens for limited application windows only and is typically oversubscribed within days. The 2026 window ran February 24 through March 16, 2026, and has already closed. Confirm the current application status directly with CalHFA before counting on it.

Texas

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administers the My First Texas Home program, offering 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and up to 5% in down payment and closing cost assistance.

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers the Homes for Texas Heroes program for teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and corrections officers, as well as the Home Sweet Texas program for other income-eligible buyers. Both programs offer up to 5% in down payment assistance.

Florida

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation administers several down payment assistance programs. Its Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides eligible frontline and workforce professionals with 5% of the loan amount, from a minimum of $10,000 up to a maximum of $35,000, as a zero-interest deferred second mortgage. Florida Housing also offers the Florida Assist and Florida Homeownership Loan Program second-mortgage options for other income-eligible first-time buyers. Program funding is periodically exhausted and replenished, so confirm current availability before applying.

Florida also coordinates with local housing agencies in major metropolitan areas including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Orange Counties, each of which administers separate programs with varying eligibility requirements.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) administers the Keystone Home Loan Program for first-time buyers, offering competitive interest rates. For down payment assistance specifically, the PHFA Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan Program provides up to 4% of the purchase price or $6,000, whichever is less, as a zero-interest loan repaid over a 10-year term.

Some Pennsylvania counties and municipalities offer additional local assistance programs, particularly in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

How to access these programs

Every program listed above requires application through an approved lender or housing counseling agency. The eligibility requirements, income limits, and purchase price limits change periodically.

The most reliable way to access current program information and determine what you personally qualify for is to connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor. The HUD website maintains a searchable directory of approved counseling agencies by state and county.

Start there. The programs are waiting.

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State assistance may cover part of the gap. The people in your corner can help with the rest. Join the Dreamfund waitlist at dreamfund.ai.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, mortgage, tax, or legal advice. Program terms, funding availability, income limits, and eligibility requirements vary by state and change frequently. Consult a HUD-approved housing counselor, the administering state agency, or a licensed mortgage professional for guidance specific to your situation.