Houston, TX First-Time Homebuyer Programs 2026

CLOSED as of Oct 2026: the city says program funds are exhausted and it is no longer accepting or processing applications; existing pre-approval letters are valid 3 months with no extensions; reopening will be first-come, first-served. Other terms (Guidelines v8.0 dated June 23, 2026): first-time buyer means no ownership interest in a principal residence in the last 3 years (spouse must also qualify); minimum $350 buyer cash contribution; 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education certificate; front-end DTI max 33%, back-end 45%; liquid assets under $50,000; no minimum credit score; no maximum sales price but price cannot exceed appraised value; fixed-rate mortgage only (no ARMs or seller financing); funds cannot pay realtor commissions; any lender may participate (preferred list = 5+ city files plus annual workshop); about 6 weeks from complete application to commitment; 6% fee on a defaulted balance. Applicant workshop Nov 10, 2026; realtor/lender workshop Nov 18, 2026.

Funding is limited: applications without a pre-approval are ON HOLD until further notice; applicants who already hold a pre-approval should keep moving toward closing; no extensions. First-time buyer OR lost your home because of Hurricane Harvey. Requires a preferred-list realtor and lender (lender must have closed at least 5 city DPA files and attended the annual workshop), an 8-hour HUD-approved class, minimum $350 contribution, 33%/45% DTI limits, fixed-rate mortgage, no cash back at closing, homeowner's and (where applicable) flood insurance for the whole compliance period. No stated maximum price (cap based on market data reviewed every 6 months). $19.8 million CDBG-DR17 allocation; 29 families closed as of the Dec 12, 2025 press release.

Availability depends on which homes the Land Bank has finished (call 281-655-4600). The city's Homebuyer Hub says HCD is no longer accepting applications because funds are exhausted, while the NHDP page is silent on status; confirm with HCD at 832-394-6200. Requires a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, an 8-hour HUD-approved class, pre-approval dated within 120 days, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Guidelines file is dated August 2022.

Effectively closed to the general public as of Oct 2026: the county is only accepting applicants affected by Hurricane Beryl or the May 2024 derecho and says non-affected applications can no longer be accepted because the program reached maximum capacity. Terms: first-time buyer (no ownership in 3 years); minimum $1,000 buyer contribution; credit score 580+; housing ratio 39% / total DTI 42%; liquid assets no more than $30,000; HUD-approved homeownership education; maximum purchase price $285,000 existing or $296,000 new construction; must use a DAP participating lender (list dated Dec 2025); home must meet county Minimum Property Standards; apply through your lender (a lender portal is 'coming soon'). Phone 832-927-4955.

Open via a pre-application form as of Oct 2026 with no posted deadline. Requires a 620+ credit score, a lender prequalification letter, an 8-hour HUD-certified class (certificates valid 1 year, applicant and co-applicant), Texas ID for every adult, two years of tax returns, being current on child support, housing costs no more than 39% of income and total debt no more than 42%, and a commitment to live in the home 10 years. The page does not state whether you must document storm damage, and it does not mention a first-time buyer requirement; confirm both with HCD at 832-927-4955.

Requires an 8-hour HUD-certified homebuyer class plus HCLT's CLT orientation, a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage from an HCLT-approved lender, debt within HCLT limits, at least $1,000 in reserves at closing, and a pre-approval letter. The HCLT site does not state a first-time buyer rule, current funding status or a waitlist; email info@houstonclt.org. Resale is restricted to HCLT-income-qualified buyers, so equity growth is capped by design.