Harris County, TX First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Harris County buyers can apply to 2 local down payment programs, with help up to $75,000 through Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP), on top of Texas's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Harris County
These are run by Harris County (unincorporated areas), City of Houston, separate from the state housing finance agency, and can usually be combined with a state loan. Check the program page for current funding before you apply.
| Program | Type | Amount | Income limit | First-time only | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Harris County (unincorporated areas) (Harris County Housing & Community Development (HCD)) · source | silent second mortgage (deferred) | Up to $40,000 total award; after mandatory insurance/warranty incentives are deducted, base award for down payment/closing costs is $27,100 | Income-qualified | Yes | Unincorporated Harris County only, within HCD's defined service areas; |
| Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) Waitlisted City of Houston (Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD)) · source | forgivable second (5-year, no-interest) | Up to $75,000 | At or below 80% of Area Median Income | Yes | Any home inside Houston city limits (property must pay taxes to the City of Houston) |
- Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP). Minimum credit score: 580 Front-end ratio cannot exceed 39%, back-end/DTI cannot exceed 42%. Liquid assets capped at $30,000. Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution. Effective 11/18/2025 for PY26 awards.
- Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP). City site states as of this research: 'Due to the exhaustion of available program funds, we are no longer accepting or processing additional applications at this time.' Existing pre-approval letters remain valid per their terms;
Income limits in Harris County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area (covers Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers counties) (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $101,100 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $63,350 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
Texas statewide programs you can also use in Harris County
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) - The Texas Homebuyer Program (homebuyer programs page) runs 5 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in Texas, with down payment help up to 5% of the loan (about $17,090 on a median-priced home) through My First Texas Home. Most local programs above can be combined with a state first mortgage; check each program's pairing rule.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My First Texas Home source | First mortgage | Down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount | Yes | 620 | Varies by county; see TDHCA county income and purchase price limits |
| My Choice Texas Home source | First mortgage | See program page | No | n/a | Varies by county; see TDHCA county income and purchase price limits |
| Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (TMCC) Program source | Tax credit (MCC) | See program page | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| Homes for Texas Heroes Program (TSAHC) source | Program | See program page | No | 620 | Varies; see TSAHC income limits by program |
| Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program (TSAHC) source | Program | See program page | No | 620 | Varies; see TSAHC income limits by program |
Texas also offers a mortgage credit certificate (TSAHC Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)), a federal tax credit worth 15% of your mortgage interest each year. MCC program page
Harris County closing costs that differ from the rest of Texas
Transfer tax: No local (or state) real estate transfer tax; the Texas Constitution (Art. 8, Sec. 31, added by 2015 Proposition 1, effective Jan. 1, 2016) bars the state and all local jurisdictions from imposing a tax on conveying fee-simple title to real property. Source
Recording the deed costs $25 and the mortgage $25. Fee schedule
Owner's title policy: seller (customary, per Texas Promulgated title rates/local custom)
Harris County Clerk real property recording fee is $25 for the first page (includes statutory surcharges) and $4 for each additional page; $0.25 per additional indexed name beyond 5. Deed and deed-of-trust fees follow the same first-page schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Harris County, TX?
Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) (Harris County (unincorporated areas), up to $40,000); Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) (City of Houston, up to $75,000). Texas statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Harris County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $63,350 for a four-person household in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area (covers Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers counties) (FY2026). Some programs allow up to 120% or 150% of median; each program page lists its own table by household size.
Is there a transfer tax in Harris County?
No local (or state) real estate transfer tax; the Texas Constitution (Art. 8, Sec. 31, added by 2015 Proposition 1, effective Jan. 1, 2016) bars the state and all local jurisdictions from imposing a tax on conveying fee-simple title to real property.
What is the median home price in Harris County?
About $301,700, per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Harris County, Texas (median value of owner-occupied housing units, ACS 5-year estimate). Down payment help of up to $75,000 covers roughly 25% of that price.
Official sources
- Harris County (unincorporated areas): Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)
- City of Houston: Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
- HUD income limits
- Harris County transfer tax
- Harris County recording fees
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Harris County, Texas (median value of owner-occupied housing units, ACS 5-year estimate)
Harris County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Other Texas counties
This is general information, not financial advice. Program funding, limits and terms change; confirm the current rules with the administering agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See down payment help in all covered counties