Pennsylvania Down Payment Assistance

Pennsylvania Down Payment Assistance Programs

A guide to current down payment assistance options in Pennsylvania, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Pennsylvania homebuyers.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)

www.phfa.org1-855-827-3466

PHFA administers the primary DPA programs for Pennsylvania. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with PHFA before applying.

Statewide DPA Programs in Pennsylvania

Keystone Home Loan

PHFA

Other

30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for first-time homebuyers (or non-FTHBs buying in a Targeted Area, and discharged veterans).

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • First-time homebuyer: Required
  • Primary residence only
  • Income: County-based PHFA Keystone Home Loan income and purchase price limits.
  • Homebuyer education required

First-time homebuyer requirement waived in Targeted counties/areas and for discharged veterans. Conventional loans require a 660 minimum credit score. Pairs with Keystone Advantage, K-FIT, or K-DATE assistance.

Source: www.phfa.org

HFA Preferred

PHFA

Other

30-year fixed-rate conventional first mortgage with reduced mortgage insurance. No first-time homebuyer requirement and no purchase price limits.

Paired with: Conventional

  • First-time homebuyer: Not required
  • Primary residence only
  • Income: HFA Preferred income limits apply.
  • Homebuyer education required

Borrower contributes at least $1,000 of own funds. Eligible borrowers may also receive a $500 PHFA Grant, and in-person pre-purchase counseling may earn a $300 closing cost credit. 2-unit properties not allowed.

Source: www.phfa.org

Keystone Government Loan (K-Gov)

PHFA

Other

30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for FHA, VA, and USDA-RD loans. No first-time homebuyer requirement.

Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA

  • First-time homebuyer: Not required
  • Primary residence only
  • Income: No PHFA-specific income or purchase price limits; FHA, VA, and RD limits apply.
  • Homebuyer education required

Borrowers with a credit score below 680 must complete a course before closing. Can be paired with the Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan.

Source: www.phfa.org

Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan

PHFA

Repayable second

Up to 4% of the purchase price or market value, or $6,000, whichever is less. 0% interest second mortgage repaid monthly over 10 years. Must be paired with a PHFA first mortgage (Keystone Home Loan, HFA Preferred, or Keystone Government).

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 660
  • Homebuyer education required

Liquid assets after closing must not exceed $50,000. Employees of participating Employer Assisted Housing employers may receive up to $8,000. Cannot be combined with other PHFA DPA programs except the Access Modification Loan Program.

Source: www.phfa.org

Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years Loan Program (K-FIT)

PHFA

Forgivable second

Second mortgage of up to 5% of the purchase price or appraised value (no maximum dollar cap). No interest and no payments; forgiven 10% per year over 10 years.

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • First-time homebuyer: Not required
  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 660
  • Income: Keystone Flex income and purchase price limits (PHFA Appendix F).
  • Homebuyer education required

Paired with a PHFA Keystone Flex or Keystone Home first mortgage. Liquid assets after closing must not exceed $50,000. Conventional and FHA borrowers contribute the lesser of $1,000 or 1% of the loan amount.

Source: www.phfa.org

Keystone Due At Time of Expiration (K-DATE)

PHFA

Deferred loan

0% interest, 30-year second mortgage with no monthly payments: 8% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value for loans of $150,000 or less (subject to availability), or 5% for larger loans. No maximum dollar cap. Due on sale, refinance, or payoff of the first mortgage.

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • First-time homebuyer: Not required
  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 660
  • Income: Keystone Flex income and purchase price limits (PHFA Appendix F).
  • Homebuyer education required

Paired with a PHFA Keystone Flex or Keystone Home first mortgage. Conventional and FHA borrowers contribute the lesser of $1,000 or 1% of the loan amount.

Source: www.phfa.org

Major City & County Programs in Pennsylvania

Philly First Home Program

Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) / Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) · City of Philadelphia, PA

Forgivable second

Grant of up to $10,000 or 6% of the purchase price, whichever is less, toward down payment and/or closing costs. Must be repaid if you move or refinance before living in the home for 15 years.

First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years). Income limits apply. Property must be a single-family home or duplex in Philadelphia (no condominiums). City-funded housing counseling is required before signing an Agreement of Sale. Available while funding lasts.

Source: www.phila.gov

Pennsylvania Notes for Homebuyers

  • All PHFA programs require homebuyer education.
  • Pennsylvania charges a state and local realty transfer tax (typically split between buyer and seller); confirm your local rate with your closing agent.

2026 Loan Limits in Pennsylvania

Conforming (Conventional)

$832,750 baseline

Some Pennsylvania counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,249,125.

FHA

$541,287

Standard FHA limit. Select high-cost Pennsylvania counties allow more, up to $1,249,125.

Live DPA Pricing for Pennsylvania

Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Pennsylvania 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

Min FICO 580
▸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

1st lien: $386,000 at 96.5% LTV (FHA)
2nd lien: $14,000 (10-yr fixed, 1st rate + 2%)
The assistance is a second loan repaid monthly over 10 years. Any remaining balance is paid off if the home is sold or refinanced. Pricing estimate only - final rates, fees, and eligibility may vary.
Program details on this page are compiled from official Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and local government sources and were last verified on October 17, 2026. Program availability, funding, eligibility thresholds, and assistance amounts change frequently. Always confirm current terms directly with the administering agency before applying. This page is informational only and is not an offer to lend.

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DPA Programs in Other States

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