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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).
  • 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(s) and/or Non-Participating Spouse are required to be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien.


Total family gross income cannot exceed the following:

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Source: U.S Department of HUD, effective June 15, 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.

Program Eligibility Criteria
  • Home must be 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, as these cities have their own programs.
  • The maximum purchase price for a:
  • Pre-existing home is $227,000.
  • Newly constructed home is $251,000.

  • 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

  • Buyer is required to maintain home as primary residence for:
  • 5 years – if DAP award is $1 - $14,999 or
  • 10 years – if DAP award is $15,000 – $23,800


*Effective April 1, 2021 pre-existing homes built prior to 1978 are eligible.