Texas DPA - city programs - local rules
State programs are only part of the picture. Some Texas cities offer their own down-payment or closing-cost help, usually with city-limit, income, education, inspection, and occupancy rules.
Readiness report checks
Why city DPA matters
City DPA programs are not interchangeable. A home inside city limits may unlock a local path that does not apply one street outside the boundary.
Houston is not accepting or processing additional Homebuyer Assistance Program applications because available funds are exhausted, and applications that have not received pre-approval are on hold, as checked October 28, 2026. The city HAP page (https://www.houstontx.gov/housing/hap.html) still publishes up to $75,000 for income-qualified first-time buyers whose home pays City of Houston taxes. Recheck that page and the Homebuyer Hub before treating that amount as available.
Austin points income-eligible first-time buyers to up to $40,000 in assistance, as checked October 28, 2026. Dallas no longer directly administers DHAP. Effective May 1, 2026, BCL of Texas manages intake, which requires a readiness check, a DHAP-approved lender, and an executed purchase contract. BCL says submitting intake does not guarantee funding. Recheck the city DHAP page and bcloftexas.org/dhap before you apply.
Fort Worth highlights up to $25,000 for eligible first-time buyers, as checked October 28, 2026. Its HAP guidelines tie the amount to how long you live in the home as your principal residence: up to $25,000 with a 10-year commitment, or up to $14,999 with a 5-year commitment. As of the October 28, 2026 check, the City of San Antonio HIP page no longer shows the FY 2026 pause notice and does not state current application status. That page (https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/NHSD/Housing-Support/Homeowner-Support/HIP) lists HIP 80 as a 0% interest, no-payment second loan of $1,000–$30,000 and HIP 120 as a 0% interest, no-payment second loan of $1,000–$15,000. Confirm with the City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services (311 or 210-207-6000) or a participating lender before counting on HIP funds.
Local eligibility
Exact rules change, but the same readiness inputs come up again and again. First Home AI helps you gather them before you chase a program.
Many city programs require the property to be inside city limits or to pay city taxes. ZIP code alone is not enough.
Most local programs are income-limited. Household size and Area Median Income rules matter.
City and state programs often require a HUD-approved or program-approved class before closing.
Inspection, environmental review, property standards, and sales-price caps can all affect whether assistance can be used.
Many city programs use forgivable loans or liens. Selling, moving, or refinancing too soon may trigger repayment.
Common questions
These answers are intentionally short, citable, and backed by the source list below.
Yes. TSAHC and TDHCA are statewide paths, while city programs usually apply only inside a city boundary and can have different income, education, inspection, and occupancy rules.
Sometimes, but stacking assistance depends on the specific city, lender, loan type, and current program rules. A lender or program administrator must confirm the final answer.
Location affects DPA, income limits, taxes, insurance, and price caps. A readiness score is more useful when it is tied to the place you want to buy.
Yes. This page is refreshed against official city sources. As of October 28, 2026, Houston is not accepting or processing additional HAP applications because available funds are exhausted, and applications that have not received pre-approval are on hold. The San Antonio HIP page no longer shows the FY 2026 pause notice and does not state current application status. That page (https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/NHSD/Housing-Support/Homeowner-Support/HIP) lists HIP 80 at $1,000–$30,000 and HIP 120 at $1,000–$15,000 as 0% interest, no-payment second loans. Confirm with Neighborhood & Housing Services (311 or 210-207-6000) or a participating lender before counting on HIP funds. Dallas DHAP is managed by BCL of Texas rather than the city. Recheck those sources before you apply.
Program details can change. Use these primary sources and a participating lender or program administrator before making a financial decision.
Ready in 3 minutes
Your readiness report shows whether DPA should be part of the next conversation, and what could block it.