Down Payment Assistance

Explore the various down payment programs for Georgia.

One of the biggest myths in real estate is that you need a 20% down payment to buy a home. In reality, there are pathways to homeownership that require much less upfront capital. From government-backed loans to local assistance programs, we help you evaluate which strategy aligns best with your current savings and long-term financial goals. Whether you are looking to keep your cash liquid or minimize your monthly payment, we’ll help you find the right fit.

We've listed some of the programs that provide grants or forgivable loans to cover your down payment and closing costs. When you hire us as your buyer's agent, we will tailor your situation using a resource database for down payment programs that we and our network of mortgage experts have access to.

Most of the following programs can be paired with FHA loans and require the typical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage from a participating lender.

Down Payment Programs

Statewide Program:

Georgia Dream Homeownership Program:

Standard: Up to $10,000 or 5% of the purchase price, whichever is less.
PEN/Choice: Up to $12,500 for protectors, educators, nurses, or families with members living with a disability.
- Limits: Sales price up to $550,000 with household income limits around $130,290 for 1-2 persons.

Metro Atlanta's (5) County Core:

Fulton County & Atlanta Area DPA Programs:

Atlanta Housing (AH) DPA:

Standard Benefit: Up to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers.
Professionals/Vouchers: Up to $25,000 for healthcare, education, public safety workers, and military/veterans.
- Terms: 0% interest, deferred loan that is fully forgiven if you live in the home as your primary residence for 10 years.
- Purchase Limit: Maximum sales price of $375,000.

Invest Atlanta Programs:

ATL HomeNow: Provides up to $20,000 for down payments, closing costs, or interest rate buy-downs.
Vine City Renaissance Initiative: Offers up to $20,000 as a forgivable grant for buyers staying at least five years.
Intown Mortgage Assistance: Offers $10,000, fully forgiven after five years, with a maximum purchase price of $385,000.

Fulton County Homeownership Program (HOP):

Offers up to $22,500 (not to exceed 7.5% of the sales price) as a deferred, 0% interest loan.
- Forgiveness: 20% is forgiven annually starting after the second year of residency.

Cobb County

My Home DPA Program:

Offers tax-free down payment assistance to qualifying purchasers. Notably, there is no first-time homebuyer requirement for this specific program.

County Employee Grant:

An additional $10,000 tax-free cash grant is available to qualified Cobb County employees purchasing a home in the county.

Gwinnett County

Homestretch DPA Program:

Provides up to $10,000 as a 0% interest, five-year deferred payment loan. The loan is fully forgiven if the homebuyer lives in the property as their principal residence for five years.

Welcome Home Program:

For low - to moderate-income buyers purchasing newly constructed affordable homes, this program can provide a second mortgage of up to $60,000 at 1% interest.

Clayton County

Clayton County DPA Program:

Offers up to $7,500 for standard first-time buyers.
Targeted Profession Grants: Veterans, spouses, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare workers, and educators can receive increased assistance up to $10,000.
Forgiveness: The loan is fully forgiven after a residency period of 5 to 10 years, depending on the amount received.

DeKalb County

DeKalb HomeStart:

A program launching in Summer 2026 expected to provide up to $25,000 in down payment assistance.

WE DeKalb:

Offers a non-repayable grant equal to 1%, 2%, or 3% of the mortgage's initial principal balance for any qualified borrower buying in DeKalb County.

Additional County-Specific Programs:

Douglas County

Douglas County Housing Partnership DPA:

Provides assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Buyers must typically contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds.

Henry County

While Henry County doesn't always have a standalone county-run grant, buyers here frequently utilize the Georgia Dream Program. For 2026, the maximum sales price is $550,000, with household income limits up to $130,290 (1-2 persons).

Fayette County

Buyers can access DPA through the National Faith Homebuyers program, which is certified to offer assistance in

Fayette. Like Henry, Fayette follows the higher Georgia Dream limits of $550,000 for sales price and $130,290 for income.

Rockdale & Newton Counties

These counties often participate in multi-county initiatives or utilize state-level funds. They fall under the same $550,000 sales price limit as the rest of the Atlanta metro area.

Forsyth County

The Georgia Dream Program is widely used in communities like Cumming and Coal Mountain. Income limits are up to $120,439 for 1-2 people, with a home price limit of $425,000 specifically for certain local assistance tiers.

Coweta County

This county is also eligible for the National Faith Homebuyers program, providing a path for local residents to receive down payment support.