The housing market has a secret entrance. Down payment assistance (DPA) programs across the US are dishing out thousands of dollars to qualified buyers, yet many Americans overlook them because they assume a 20% down payment is required to buy a home. With more than 2K options nationwide, buyers curious about what’s available can often find assistance by simply Googling “down payment assistance grants” alongside their state, county, or city.

• New York City’s HomeFirst provides up to $100K for eligible buyers, while Washington State’s WSHFC program offers as much as $55K to qualified homebuyers.
• Louisiana’s Resilience Soft Second Loan offers up to $55K in forgivable down-payment assistance plus $5K for closing costs, with the balance wiped out after 10 years.

T&C applied: Most programs require buyers to be “first-time homeowners” — typically meaning they haven’t owned a home in the past three years — plus income caps, credit minimums (often 640+), and a homebuyer education course completion. Assistance often comes as grants, deferred loans, or forgivable second mortgages that can disappear over time. With mortgage rates still elevated, house money isn’t just a poker term.