Illinois Down Payment Assistance
Illinois Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Illinois, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Illinois homebuyers.
Illinois Housing Finance Agency
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
IHDA administers the primary DPA programs for Illinois. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with IHDA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Illinois
IHDAccess Forgivable
IHDA
4% of purchase price up to $6,000 toward down payment and closing costs, forgiven monthly over 10 years.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: IHDA county-based income limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Open to first-time and repeat buyers. 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage required through an IHDA-approved lender. Borrower contributes the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price. DTI from 45.01% to 50% needs a 680 score on FHA, VA, and USDA.
Source: www.ihdamortgage.org
IHDAccess Deferred
IHDA
5% of purchase price up to $7,500 toward down payment and closing costs as an interest-free 30-year deferred second; repaid at sale, refinance, payoff, or maturity.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: IHDA county-based income limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Open to first-time and repeat buyers. Borrower contributes the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price.
Source: www.ihdamortgage.org
IHDAccess Repayable
IHDA
10% of purchase price up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs as a 0% interest second repaid monthly over 10 years.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: IHDA county-based income limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Open to first-time and repeat buyers. Borrower contributes the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price.
Source: www.ihdamortgage.org
IHDAccess Home
IHDA
6% of purchase price up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, as a 0% interest 30-year deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment. Repaid at sale, refinance, payoff, or maturity.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: IHDA county-based income limits apply; check current published limits by county.
- Homebuyer education required
First-time homebuyers only; veterans and buyers in targeted areas are exempt. Borrower contributes the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price. Delivered through IHDA-approved lenders.
Source: www.ihdamortgage.org
Major City & County Programs in Illinois
HomeGrown Purchase Assistance
City of Chicago Department of Housing · Chicago, IL
Grant for down payment and closing costs of $10,000 to $70,000, based on household income (up to 150% AMI) and the property zone. Capped at 25% of the purchase price.
Buyer contributes at least 1% of the purchase price and completes HUD-approved homebuyer education. A signed purchase contract is required before applying; applications go through the City-selected administrators, first-come, first-served.
Source: www.chicago.gov
TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate
City of Chicago Department of Housing · Chicago, IL
Federal income tax credit on a percentage of annual mortgage interest paid for qualified Chicago homebuyers.
Series issuance depends on available bond allocation; confirm current availability with the Department of Housing.
Source: www.chicago.gov
CHA Choose to Own Homeownership Program
Chicago Housing Authority · Chicago, IL
Eligible Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing families may use their housing subsidy toward monthly mortgage payments.
Separate from traditional down payment assistance. For CHA voucher holders or public housing residents of at least one year who are first-time homebuyers; assistance lasts up to 15 years (30 for elderly or disabled heads of household). Referrals to pre- and post-purchase education provided.
Source: www.thecha.org
Illinois Notes for Homebuyers
- Illinois imposes state and county real estate transfer taxes; some home-rule municipalities (including Chicago) add their own transfer tax.
2026 Loan Limits in Illinois
Conforming (Conventional)
$832,750 baseline
FHA
$541,287
Standard FHA limit, applies to most Illinois counties.
Live DPA Pricing for Illinois
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Illinois scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for Illinois with live pricing
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