Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)

Building Better Communities Throughout Harris County

The Community Services Department's Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) can provide financial assistance to help you purchase your dream home in Harris County.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

First-time homebuyer that has not owned a home for three years prior to applying for assistance
Buyer is income qualified (see chart below).

Total family gross income cannot exceed the following:

INCOME LEVELS

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

Extremely Low Income

(Limits based on 0-30% of area median income)

16,650

19,000

21,400

23,750

25,650

27,550

29,450

31,350

Very Low Income

(Limits based on 31-50% of area median income)

27,750

31,700

35,650

39,600

42,800

45,950

49,150

52,300

Low Income

(Limits based on 51-80% of area median income)

44,350

50,700

57,050

63,350

68,450

73,500

78,600

83,650

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, effective June 1, 2021. (Conforms to HOME Rents)

* Income is not solely determined by your pay stubs. Income calculations also include your checking, savings, investment, and retirement accounts at a rate of .06%, plus any other forms of income you might receive, such as child support, reoccurring gifts, etc.

Buyer must have at least one credit score of 580.
Buyer must be credit approved through one of the participating mortgage lenders .
Buyer front-end ratio (debt) cannot exceed 39% and the back-end ratio or Debt-to-Income ratio (DTI) cannot exceed 42%.
Buyer is required to successfully complete an 8-hour homeownership education course before applying for DAP assistance. Course must be:

o provided by a HUD approved homebuyer education course provider.
o performed by a Certified Counselor
o and buyer is required to submit a final signed household budget from their HUD approved provider.

Buyer must contribute a minimum of $1000 towards the purchase of the home.
Buyer cannot have more than $15,000 in liquid assets, such as stocks, cash, or bonds.
Borrower, Co-Borrower and/or Non-Participating Spouse are required to be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien.

Program Eligibility

Home must be located in the unincorporated areas of Harris County, which include these zip codes and service area. Homes cannot be located in the City of Houston, Baytown, or Pasadena, because these cities have their own programs.
The maximum purchase price for a:

Pre-existing home is $209,000.
Newly constructed home is $243,000.

The amount of DAP assistance available for new and pre-existing homes is up to $23,800. This includes:

Down Payment
Customary Closing Costs
Owners Title Policy
a 3-Year Home Warranty up to a maximum of $500 per year, on pre-existing homes
a 1-year Flood Insurance Policy up to a maximum of $500