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Texas First-Time Homebuyer Programs: TSAHC, TDHCA, and More
Texas first-time homebuyer programs: TSAHC (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation): Homes for Texas Heroes (teachers, police, fire, healthcare): DPA grant or loan 3-5% of loan amount; no repayment required on grant option. Home Sweet Texas (all qualifying buyers): same terms. TDHCA My First Texas Home: 30-year fixed + DPA 3-5% as forgivable loan. Income limits: vary by county; approximately $75K-$110K for most TX markets. Purchase price limits: approximately $350K-$500K depending on county. Own Luxury Homes® 12-Point Agent Integrity Audit™.
Texas First-Time Homebuyer Programs: TSAHC, TDHCA, and More
Texas has multiple state-funded programs for first-time homebuyers. Here are the primary programs, their benefits, and who qualifies.
TSAHC: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
TSAHC operates two primary homebuyer programs: Homes for Texas Heroes: for Texas teachers, police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, EMS personnel, veterans, and healthcare workers. Provides: • Down payment assistance (DPA): 3–5% of the loan amount, as either a grant (no repayment) or a deferred forgivable loan • Paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional mortgage • Competitive interest rates negotiated at the program level Home Sweet Texas: same benefits as Heroes program, available to any qualifying Texas buyer (not just specified professions). Eligibility requirements: first-time homebuyer (or have not owned a principal residence in the past 3 years); income limits (approximately $80,000–$110,000 depending on family size and county); purchase price limits (approximately $360,000–$500,000 depending on county); minimum credit score (typically 620); complete a homebuyer education course.
TDHCA: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
My First Texas Home: offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at a below-market interest rate, paired with down payment and closing cost assistance of 2–5% of the loan amount as a 0% interest second mortgage. The second mortgage is forgiven if the borrower occupies the home as a primary residence. My Choice Texas Home: similar to My First Texas Home but available to repeat buyers (not just first-timers). Eligibility: income limits tied to area median income (AMI); purchase price limits; minimum credit scores (typically 620–640); owner-occupancy required; homebuyer education requirement. Participating lenders: both TSAHC and TDHCA programs are delivered through approved participating lenders. Not every lender offers these programs; buyers must work with a lender approved by the respective agency.
Local and County Programs
Many Texas cities and counties operate their own DPA programs in addition to state programs: • Austin: City of Austin NHCD programs; various community land trust options • Houston: City of Houston Housing and Community Development programs; Harris County programs • Dallas: Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program; various nonprofit programs • San Antonio: Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance; various county programs These local programs often have additional income and geographic restrictions but may provide larger assistance amounts than state programs. Buyers in specific Texas cities should research both state and local programs before assuming the state programs are the only option.
“Texas first-time buyer programs are some of the most accessible in the country, particularly the TSAHC grant option which requires no repayment. The critical step that most buyers miss: finding a lender who is approved to offer these programs. Not every lender participates. Buyers who go to their regular bank or credit union may be told no program is available, when in fact the program exists but requires a TSAHC-approved participating lender.”
— Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO, Own Luxury Homes®
What programs are available for first-time homebuyers in Texas?
Primary Texas first-time homebuyer programs: (1) TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes (teachers, police, fire, EMS, healthcare, veterans): 3-5% DPA as a grant (no repayment) or forgivable loan. (2) TSAHC Home Sweet Texas (all qualifying buyers): same terms. (3) TDHCA My First Texas Home: 30-year fixed rate + 2-5% DPA as 0% forgivable second mortgage. Income limits: approximately $80,000-$110,000 depending on county and family size. Purchase price limits: approximately $360,000-$500,000 by county. Minimum credit score: 620. Homebuyer education required.
What is the income limit for Texas first-time homebuyer programs?
Income limits for Texas first-time homebuyer programs vary by county and family size. TSAHC programs (Home Sweet Texas and Homes for Texas Heroes) set income limits at approximately $80,000-$110,000 for most Texas counties. TDHCA My First Texas Home limits are similar but referenced to Area Median Income (AMI) levels. Limits are higher in high-cost markets (Dallas, Austin, Houston). Check the TSAHC and TDHCA websites for current limits by county — they update annually. Working with an approved participating lender is required to access either program.
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