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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
▸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
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