Wisconsin Down Payment Assistance
Wisconsin Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Wisconsin, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Wisconsin homebuyers.
Wisconsin Housing Finance Agency
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
WHEDA administers the primary DPA programs for Wisconsin. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with WHEDA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Wisconsin
WHEDA Advantage Conventional
WHEDA
30-year fixed-rate conventional first mortgage with reduced mortgage insurance; foundation product for pairing with WHEDA DPA.
Paired with: Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Income: WHEDA Advantage income limits apply (county-based).
- Homebuyer education required
Source: www.wheda.com
WHEDA Advantage FHA
WHEDA
30-year fixed-rate FHA first mortgage; foundation product for pairing with WHEDA DPA.
Paired with: FHA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Income: WHEDA Advantage FHA income limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Source: www.wheda.com
Easy Close Advantage Down Payment Assistance
WHEDA
Second mortgage between $1,000 and 6% of the purchase price as a 10-year fixed-rate amortizing second mortgage.
Paired with: FHA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with a WHEDA Advantage first mortgage. Borrower makes monthly payments on both first and second liens.
Source: www.wheda.com
Capital Access Advantage Down Payment Assistance
WHEDA
Second mortgage between $3,050 and 3% of the purchase price as a 30-year silent second at 0% interest with no monthly payments; repaid upon sale, refinance, move-out, or payoff of the first mortgage, whichever occurs first.
Paired with: FHA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with a WHEDA Advantage first mortgage. The Capital Access DPA was reopened January 15, 2026 on a limited basis with funding for approximately 78 reservations; availability is first-come, first-served subject to funding.
Source: www.wheda.com
Major City & County Programs in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program
City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC) · City of Milwaukee, WI
Up to $5,000 forgivable grant for purchases in the City of Milwaukee, or $7,000 for purchases within a Community Development Block Grant area; fully forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy.
Income and occupancy restrictions apply. Administered through participating partner lenders and counseling agencies.
Source: city.milwaukee.gov
$35,000 Milwaukee Homebuyer Assistance Program
City of Milwaukee NIDC · City of Milwaukee, WI
Up to $35,000 forgivable loan for down payment and related costs in designated focus areas of the City of Milwaukee.
Targeted to specified neighborhoods; income limits and owner-occupancy requirements apply. Check with the City for current funding availability and eligible census tracts.
Source: city.milwaukee.gov
Wisconsin Notes for Homebuyers
- Wisconsin is a non-judicial foreclosure state for most mortgage instruments; title companies typically handle closings.
2026 Loan Limits in Wisconsin
Conforming (Conventional)
$806,500 baseline
FHA
$524,225 floor
Most Wisconsin counties use the FHA floor limit.
Live DPA Pricing for Wisconsin
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin with live pricing
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